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[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That afternoon the four perspiring Japanese porters put down the iron-banded chest, watched by three Bakufu officials of no import, Sir William, interpreters, an officer from the army accounting department, the Legation shroff, a Chinese, and Vargas, to check him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were in the main Legation reception room, the windows open and Sir William was hard put not to beam. Laboriously one of the officials produced an ornate key and unlocked the chest. Within were silver Mexican dollars, a few tael bars of gold—about an ounce and a third in weight—and some of silver.\n\n\"Ask why the indemnity isn't all in gold as agreed?\"\n\n\"The Official says they could not obtain the gold in time but these are clean Mex and legal currency, and will you please give him a receipt.\" \"Clean\" coins meant those that were unshaved, or unclipped, a common practice, and sloughed off onto the unwary.\n\n\"Begin counting.\"\n\nHappily his shroff tipped the contents onto the carpet. At once he spotted a clipped coin, Vargas another and another. These were put to one side. Every eye stayed on the carpet, on the neatly stacked, growing piles of coins. Five thousand pounds sterling was an immense sum when the salary of a full-time interpreter was four hundred a year and pay your own lodgings, a shroff a hundred (though a good percentage of everything that passed through his hands would somehow stick there), a servant in London twenty pounds a year and all found, a soldier five pennies a day, a sailor six, an Admiral six hundred pounds a year." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The counting was quickly done." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required dialogue to include (maintain exact wording): \"They now ask for an extension, sir, and—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both shroffs checked the weight of each small bar of gold twice, then the weight of each of the stacks of chipped coins, then used an abacus to calculate the total against the current rate of exchange.\n\nVargas said, \"It comes to four thousand and eighty-four pounds, six shillings and seven pence farthing, Sir William, in clean coin, five hundred and twenty pounds in gold, ninety-two pounds sixteen in clipped coins for a grand total of four thousand, six hundred and ninety-seven pounds, two shillings, and seven pence farthing.\"\n\n\"Sorry, eight pence, Mass'er.\" The Chinese bowed and nodded his head, his pigtail long and thick, making the slight, face-saving adjustment as agreed in advance with Vargas, deciding that the amount that his Portuguese counterpart had deducted for their fee, two and a half percent, or one hundred and seventeen pounds, eight shillings and sixpence between them, was less than what he would have maneuvered, but passable for half an hour's work.\n\nSir William said, \"Vargas, put it back in the chest, give them a receipt with a note that the underpayment will be added to the last installment. Johann, thank them, and say we will expect the full amount, in gold, in nineteen days.\"\n\nJohann obeyed. At once the other interpreter began a long statement. \"They now ask for an extension, sir, and—\"\n\n\"No extension.\" Sir William sighed, dismissed the others and prepared for another hour, closing his ears until he was astonished to hear Johann say, \"They've suddenly come to the point, sir: it's the Yedo meeting, sir. They ask that this be delayed another thirty days to make it fifty days from now... the exact words are: the Shōgun will return from Kyōto then and he has informed the Council of Elders to advise the Foreign Ministers that he would grant them an audience on that day.\"\n\nTo give himself time to think, Sir William called out, \"Lun!\" Lun appeared instantly. \"Tea!\"\n\nWithin seconds the trays arrived. And cigars, snuff and pipe tobacco." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Soon the room was filled with smoke and everyone coughing and all the time Sir William was considering options.\n\nFirst and foremost, I'm probably dealing with low-level officials, so anything agreed will be subject to further negotiation. Next, in any event the fifty days will surely extend into two months, even three, but if we have an audience with the Ultimate Power, of course under British leadership, we will have taken a lasting step forward. Actually, I don't mind if the delay goes to three, even four months. By then I'll have Lord Russell's approval for war, reinforcements will be en route from India and Hong Kong, the Admiral will have his damned authority, and we'll have the forces to invest, hold and fortify Yedo if we have to.\n\nI could say, let us have the meeting as planned and then the Shōgun meeting. That would be best, but I feel they won't go against the mystical Shōgun's wishes and somehow they'll wheedle and twist and mesh us again.\n\nJohann said, \"The spokesman says, as that's agreed, we will bid you farewell.\"\n\n\"Nothing is agreed. A thirty-day extension is not possible for many reasons. We have already arranged a date for the Council of Elders that will take place as planned and then, ten days later, we will be pleased to meet the Shōgun.\"\n\nAfter an hour of sucked-in breaths, aghast silences, blunt Anglo-Saxonese, Sir William allowed himself to be whittled down and got his compromise position: The meeting with the Council of Elders to take place as planned, and the meeting with the Shōgun twenty days after that.\n\nOnce alone again with Sir William, Johann said, \"They won't abide by it.\"\n\n\"Yes, I know. Never mind.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sir William, my contract's up in a couple of months. I won't renew.\"\n\nSir William said sharply, \"I can't do without your services for at least six months.\"\n\n\"It's time to go home. This place is going to be a bloodbath soon and I've no want to have my head on a spike.\"\n\n\"I'll increase your salary by fifty pounds a year.\"\n\n\"It's not the money, Sir William. I'm tired. Ninety-eight percent of all the talk is Sheisse. I've no patience now to sift the kernel of wheat from the barrel of dung!\"\n\n\"I need you for these two meetings.\"\n\n\"They'll never take place. Two months odd, then I'm off, the exact day is on the paper. Sorry, Sir William, but that's the end, and now I am going to get drunk.\" He left.\n\nSir William went across the hall to his office window and searched the horizon. It was nearing sunset now. No sign of any of the fleet. My God, I hope they're safe. Must keep Johann somehow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer won't be ready for a year at least. Who can I get that I can trust? God damn it!\n\nLight from the dying sun illuminated the sparsely furnished room, not enough to see by so he lit an oil lamp, adjusting the wick carefully. On his desk were neat piles of dispatches, his edition of All the Year Round—long since read from cover to cover, with all the newspapers from the last mail ship, several editions of Illustrated London News and Punch. He picked up the advance copy of Turgenev's Fathers and Sons in Russian sent to him by a friend at the Court of St. Petersburg, amongst other English and French books, started to read it, then, distracted, put it aside and began the second letter of the day to the Governor of Hong Kong, giving details of today's meeting, and asking for a replacement for Johann. Lun came in silently, closing the door.\n\n\"Yes, Lun?\"\n\nLun came up to his desk, hesitated, then dropped his voice. \"Mass'er,\" he said cautiously, \"hear trou'bel, trou'bel soon Yedo Big House, big trou'bel.\"\n\nSir William stared up at him. Big House was what the Chinese servants called their Yedo Legation. \"What trouble?\"\n\nLun shrugged. \"Trou'bel.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"When trouble?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again Lun shrugged. \"Whisk'y water, heya?\"\n\nSir William nodded thoughtfully. From time to time Lun whispered rumors to him with an uncanny knack of being right. He watched him pad over to the sideboard and make the drink, just as he liked it." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phillip Tyrer and the kilted Captain were watching the same sunset from an upstairs window of the Legation at Yedo, the usual groups of samurai stationed outside the walls and in all approaches up the hill. Dark reds and orange and browns on the empty horizon mixed with a strip of blue above the sea. \"Will the weather be good tomorrow?\"\n\n\"Don't know much about the weather here, Mr. Tyrer. If we were in Scotland I could give you a wee forecast,\" the Captain, a sandy-haired, thirty-year-old ramrod, laughed. \"Rain with scattered showers... but, och ay, it's no' so bad.\"\n\n\"I've never been to Scotland, but I will on my next leave. When do you go home?\"\n\n\"Maybe next year, or the year after. This is only my second year.\" Their attention went back to the square. Four Highlanders and a sergeant plodded up the hill through the samurai and entered the iron gates, returning from a routine patrol to the wharf where a detachment of marines and a cutter were stationed. Samurai were always in attendance, standing around, sometimes chatting, or in clusters near fires that they lit if it was cold, movement constant." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No one, soldier or Legation employee, had been prevented from leaving or entering, though all had passed through intense, always silent scrutiny." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Excuse me, I'll see the Sergeant, make sure our cutter's there, in case, and close down for the night. Dinner at seven as usual?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" When he was alone Tyrer stifled a nervous yawn, stretched and moved his arm to ease the slight ache there. His wound had healed perfectly, no longer any need to use a sling. I'm bloody lucky, he thought, except for Wee Willie. Damn the man for sending me here, I'm supposed to be training to be an interpreter, not a dogsbody. Damn damn damn. And now I'll miss André's recital that I was so looking forward to. Angelique is certain to be there.\n\nRumors of her secret betrothal had rushed around the Settlement like a foehn wind—unsettling. Hints dropped to her or to Struan had brought forth neither denial nor confirmation, nor even a clue. In the Club the betting was two to one that it was a fact, twenty to one that the marriage would never take place: \"Struan's as sick as a dog, she's Catholic and you know his mum, for God's sake, Jamie!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Taken! He's better every day and you don't know him like I do. Ten guineas against two hundred.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Charlie, what odds you give me that one's up the spout?\"\n\n\"Oh, for God's sake!\"\n\n\"Angel Tits ain't a doxy, for Chris' sake!\"\n\n\"A thousand to one?\"\n\n\"Done, by God... a golden guinea!\"\n\nTo Tyrer and Pallidar's disgust, the odds and bets, ever more personal and detailed, changed daily. \"The buggers here are a lot of guttersnipes!\"\n\n\"You're right, of course, Pallidar. A scummy lot!\"\n\nWith intense speculation going on about Struan and Angelique, there was more about the extent of the storm and the fleet, worse that it might be in dire trouble, and doom generally. Japanese merchants were more nervous than usual too, whispering rumors of insurrections all over Japan against or for the Bakufu, that the mystical Mikado, supposed high priest of all Japanese, who held sway in Kyōto, had ordered all samurai to attack Yokohama." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Poppycock, if you ask me,\" the Westerners told one another, but more and more guns were purchased and even the two trader wives slept with a loaded weapon beside their beds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Drunk Town was rumored to be an armed camp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, a few days ago, an act of war: an American merchantman, storm battered, had limped into Yokohama. In the Shimonoseki Straits, inbound from Shanghai for Yokohama with a cargo of silver, ammunition and arms, then onwards to the Philippines with opium, tea and general trade goods, she had been fired upon by shore batteries.\n\n\"The devil you were!\" someone called out over the explosion of anger in the Club.\n\n\"You're goddam right we were! And us as peaceful as a buttercup! Those Choshu bastards were mighty accurate—what crazy bastard sold them goddam cannon? Blew off our top t'gallants before we knew what was happening and could take evading action. Sure, we returned their fire but we've only a couple of stinky goddam five-pounders that'd not give a body much cause to hiccup. We counted as many as twenty cannon.\"\n\n\"My God, twenty cannon and expert gunners could easily close Shimonoseki, and if that happens we're in dead trouble. That's the quickest and only safe way here.\"\n\n\"Ay! The Inland Waters are a must, by God!\"\n\n\"Where the hell's the fleet? They could go and knock out those batteries! What about our trade?\"\n\n\"Ay, where's the fleet, hope to God she's safe!\"\n\n\"And if she's not?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Charlie, we'll just have to send for another...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stupid people, Tyrer thought, all they can think of is send for the fleet, boozing and money.\n\nThank God the French Admiral brought back André with him. Thank God for André even though he's volatile and strange but that's only because he's French. Thanks to him I've already two exercise books crammed with Japanese words and phrases, my daily journal's chockablock with an abundance of folklore, I've a rendezvous with a Jesuit when we're again in Yokohama. Such marvelous progress and so important for me to learn quickly—and that's without even thinking about the Yoshiwara.\n\nThree visits. The first two guided, the third alone.\n\n\"André, I just can't tell you how much I appreciate all the time you've given me, and all the help. And as to tonight, I can never repay you, never.\"\n\nThat was after the first visit.\n\nNervous, flushed, sweating, almost tongue-tied but pretending to be manly he had followed André out of the Settlement at dusk, joining the jovial crowds of men Yoshiwara bound, passed the samurai guards, politely raising top hats and receiving perfunctory bows in return, across the Bridge to Paradise towards the tall gates in the enclosing wooden fence.\n\n\"Yoshiwara means Place of Reeds,\" André said expansively, both of them well lubricated with champagne that in Tyrer's case had only increased his foreboding." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It was the name of a district in Yedo, a reclaimed swamp, where the first ever, fenced bordello area was decreed and built by Shōgun Toranaga two and a half centuries ago. Before that, bordellos were scattered everywhere. Since then, so we're told, all cities and towns have similar enclosures, all of them licensed and tightly controlled. By custom, many are called Yoshiwara. See those?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'sorry' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Above the gate, a series of Chinese characters were etched elegantly into the wood. \"They mean, Lust is pressing, something must be done about it.\"\n\nTyrer laughed nervously. Many guards inside and outside the gate. Last night when André had volunteered to escort him—they were in the Club then, drinking—he had mentioned a trader had told him the guards were there not just to keep the peace but mostly to keep the whores from escaping, \"So they're really all slaves, aren't they?\" To his shock he had seen Poncin flush angrily.\n\n\"Mon Dieu, don't think of them as whores or call them whores as we understand the word. They're not slaves. Some are indentured for a number of years, many sold by their parents at an early age, again for a number of years, but their contracts are Bakufu approved and registered. They're not whores, they're Ladies of the Willow World and don't forget it. Ladies!\"\n\n\"Sorry, I...\"\n\nBut André had paid no attention. \"Some are geishas—Art Persons—those trained to entertain you, sing and dance and play silly games and are not for bedding. The rest, mon Dieu, I've told you, don't think of them as whores, think of them as Pleasure Women, trained to please, trained over many years.\"\n\n\"Sorry, I didn't know.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If you treat them properly they'll give you pleasure, almost any kind you want—if they want to—and if the money you give is correct. You give them money, which has no significance, they give you their youth. It's an odd bargain.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"I tell you these cretins don't care or give a damn, none of them, except Canterbury, he did.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André had looked at him strangely. \"They give you their youth and hide the tears you cause.\" He quaffed his wine and stared at the cup, abruptly maudlin.\n\nTyrer remembered how he had quietly refilled their glasses, cursing himself for breaking the feeling of easy friendship, to him valuable friendship, swearing to be more cautious in future and wondering why the sudden fury. \"Tears?\"\n\n\"Their life isn't good, but even so it isn't always bad. For some it can be marvelous. The most beautiful and accomplished become famous, they're sought after by even the most important daimyo—kings—in the land, they can marry in high places, marry rich merchants, even samurai. But for our Ladies of the Willow World who are just for us gai-jin,\" André had continued bitterly, \"there's no future but to open another house here, to drink saké and employ other girls. Mon Dieu, treat them all properly, because once they're here they're polluted in the eyes of all other Japanese.\"\n\n\"Sorry. How awful.\"\n\n\"Yes, no one understan—\" A burst of drunken laughter from the men around drowned him out for a moment, the Club filled, raucous and steaming. \"I tell you these cretins don't care or give a damn, none of them, except Canterbury, he did.\" André had looked up from the dregs of his drink. \"You're young and unsullied, here for a year or two and seem willing to learn, so I thought... there's so much to learn, so much good,\" he had said suddenly, and left." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was last night and now they were within the Yoshiwara gate, André took out his small pistol." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Phillip, are you armed?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No.\"\n\nAndré gave the pistol to the unctuous attendant who gave him a receipt and put it with many others. \"No weapons are allowed within the fence—the same in all Yoshiwaras, even samurai must give up their swords. On y va!\"\n\nAhead of them now, on either side of the wide street and alleys leading off it, were lines of neat little houses, many for eating or just small bars, all built of wood with verandas and oiled paper shoji screens, and raised off the ground on low pilings. Everywhere color and sprays of flowers, noise and laughter, and lanterns, candles and oil lamps. \"Fire's a huge hazard, Phillip. This whole place burned down the first year but within the week was booming again.\"\n\nAll the Houses bore individual signs. Some had open doors and sliding shoji windows. Many girls were in them, ornately or demurely dressed in kimonos of varying quality, depending on the standing of the House. Other girls were promenading, some with colorful umbrellas, some attended by maids, paying little or no attention to the gawking men." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Intermixed were vendors of all kinds, and swarms of maids shouting the virtues of the Houses in versions of pithy, raucous pidgin, and sounding over everything the happy banter of potential customers, most of whom were recognized and had their favored places." }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: Your response must contain: \"Saké, heya? Jig jig plenty good, Mass'er...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were no Japanese except for guards, servants, porters and masseurs.\n\n\"Never forget, Yoshiwaras are a place for joy, the pleasures of the flesh, eating and drinking as well, and that there's no such thing as sin in Japan, original sin, any kind of sin.\" André laughed and led the way through the typically well-ordered crowd, except for a few brawling drunks who were quickly and good-naturedly pulled apart by huge, expert bouncers, at once to be sat on stools and plied with more saké by the ever attentive maids.\n\n\"Drunks are welcome, Phillip, because they lose count of their money. But don't ever pick a quarrel with a bouncer, they're fantastically good at unarmed combat.\"\n\n\"Compared to our Drunk Town this place is as well disciplined as the Regent's Promenade at Brighton.\" A boisterous maid caught Tyrer's arm and tried to pull him into a doorway. \"Saké, heya? Jig jig plenty good, Mass'er...\"\n\n\"Iyé, domo, iyé...\" Tyrer burst out—no, thank you, no—and hurriedly caught up with André. \"My God, I had to really tug to get away.\"\n\n\"That's their job.\" André turned off the main street through a passageway between dwellings, down another, stopped at a seedy door set into a fence, a grubby sign above, and knocked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer recognized the characters that André had written for him earlier: House of the Three Carp." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A small grill slid back. Eyes peered out. The door opened and Tyrer stepped into a wonderland.\n\nTiny garden, oil lanterns and candlelight. Glistening grey stepping-stones in green moss, clusters of flowers, many small maples—blood-red leaves against more green—pale orange light coming from the half-obscured shoji. Little bridge over a miniature stream, waterfall nearby. Kneeling on the veranda was a middle-aged woman, the mama-san, beautifully attired and coiffured. \"Bonsoir, Monsieur Furansu-san,\" she said, put both her hands on the veranda and bowed.\n\nAndré bowed back. \"Raiko-san, konbanwa. Ikaga desu ka?\" Good evening, how are you? \"Kore wa watashi no tomodachi desu, Tyrer-san.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is my friend, Mr. Tyrer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah so desu ka? Taira-san?\" She bowed gravely. Awkwardly Tyrer bowed, then she beckoned them to follow her.\n\n\"She says Taira is a famous old Japanese name. You're in luck, Phillip, most of us go by nicknames. I'm Furansu-san—the nearest they can get to Frenchman.\"\n\nTaking off their shoes so as not to dirty the very clean and expensive tatami, then sitting awkwardly cross-legged in the room, André Poncin explained the tokonoma, the alcove for a special hanging scroll and flower arrangement, changed daily, guiding him to appreciate the quality of the shoji and woods.\n\nSaké arrived. The maid was young, perhaps ten, not pretty but deft and silent. Raiko poured, first for André and then Tyrer, then herself. She sipped, André drained the tiny cup and held it out for more. Tyrer did the same, finding the taste of the warm wine not unpleasant but insipid. Both cups were immediately filled and drained and refilled. More trays and more flasks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer lost count but soon he was enveloped with a pleasing glow, forgot his nervousness and watched and listened and understood almost nothing the other two said, just a word here and there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raiko's hair was black and shining and dressed with many ornate combs, her face thick with white powder, neither ugly nor beautiful just different, her kimono pink silk with interweaving green carp.\n\n\"A carp is koi, usually a sign of good luck,\" André had explained earlier. \"Townsend Harris's mistress, the Shimoda courtesan the Bakufu arranged to distract him, called herself Koi, but I'm afraid it didn't bring her luck.\"\n\n\"Oh? What happened?\"\n\n\"The story told amongst courtesans here is that he adored her and when he left he gave her money, enough to set herself up—she was with him for about two years. Shortly after he returned to America, she just vanished. Probably drank herself to death or committed suicide.\"\n\n\"She loved him that much?\"\n\n\"They say that in the beginning when the Bakufu approached her she adamantly refused to go with a foreigner—an unheard-of aberration, don't forget he was the first ever to be actually allowed to live on Japanese soil. She begged the Bakufu to choose someone else, to allow her to live in peace, said she would become a Buddhist nun, she even swore she would kill herself. But they were equally adamant, begging her to help them solve this problem of gai-jin, pleading with her for weeks to be his consort, wearing her down by what means no one knows. So she agreed and they thanked her. And when Harris left they all turned their backs on her, Bakufu, everyone: Ah, so sorry, but any woman who has gone with a foreigner is tainted forever.\"\n\n\"How awful!\"\n\n\"Yes, in our terms, and so sad. But remember, this is the Land of Tears. Now she is legend, honored by her peers and by those who turned their backs, because of her sacrifice.\"\n\n\"I don't understand.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nor do I, nor any of us. But they do. Japanese do.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How strange, Tyrer thought again. Like this little house and this man and woman, chattering half in Japanese, half in pidgin, laughing one with another, one a madam the other a customer, both pretending they are something else. More and more saké. Then she bowed and got up and left.\n\n\"Saké, Phillip?\"\n\n\"Thanks. It's quite nice, isn't it?\"\n\nAfter a pause, André said, \"You're the first person I've ever brought here.\"\n\n\"Oh? Why me?\"\n\nThe Frenchman twisted the porcelain cup in his fingers, drained the last drop, poured some more, then began in French, his voice soft and filled with warmth, \"Because you're the first person I've met in Yokohama with... because you speak French, you're cultured, your mind is like a sponge, you're young, not far off half my age, eh? You're twenty-one, and not like the others, you're untainted and you'll be here for a few years.\" He smiled, spinning the web tighter, telling only part of the truth, molding it: \"Truly you're the first person I've met who, alors, even though you're English and actually an enemy of France, you're the only one who somehow seems to merit the knowledge I've acquired.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "An embarrassed smile. \"Difficult to explain. Perhaps because I've always wanted to be a teacher, perhaps because I've never had a son, never married, perhaps because soon I have to move back to Shanghai, perhaps because we've enemies enough and perhaps... perhaps you could be a firm friend.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I would be honored to be your friend,\" Tyrer said at once, enmeshed and under his spell, \"and I really do think, I really have always thought we should be allies, France and Britain, not enemies and—\" The shoji slid back. Raiko, on her knees, beckoned Tyrer. His heart surged.\n\nAndré Poncin smiled. \"Just follow her, and remember what I told you.\"\n\nAs in a dream Phillip Tyrer got up unsteadily and padded after her, down a corridor, into a room, across it and along a veranda, into another empty room where she motioned him in, closed the shoji, and left him.\n\nA shaded oil lamp. Charcoal brazier for warmth. Shadows and darkness and patches of light. Futons—small square mattresses—laid out as a bed on the floor, a bed for two. Downy coverlets. Two yukatas, wide-sleeved, patterned cotton gowns for sleeping in. Through a small door a bathhouse, candle-lit, tall wooden tub filled with steaming water. Sweet-smelling soap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Low, three-legged stool." }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'folded' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Diminutive towels. Everything as André had foretold.\n\nHis heart was beating very fast now and he pushed his mind to remember André's instructions through the saké haze.\n\nMethodically, he began to undress. Coat, waistcoat, cravat, shirt, woolen vest, each article meticulously folded and nervously placed in a pile. Awkwardly sitting, then pulling off his socks, reluctantly his trousers and standing up once more. Only his woolen long johns remained.\n\nWeaving a little, then an embarrassed shrug and he took them off and folded them, even more carefully. His skin prickled into goose bumps and he walked into the bathhouse.\n\nThere he scooped water from the barrel as he had been told and spilled it over his shoulders, the warmth pleasant." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another and then the sound of the shoji opening and he glanced around." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Frequency requirement: 'muttered' - 2 occurrence(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Christ Almighty,\" he muttered.\n\nThe woman was beefy with huge forearms, her yukata brief, nothing under except a loincloth and she strode purposefully towards him with a flat smile, motioned him to squat on the stool. In absolute embarrassment he obeyed. At once she noticed the healing scar on his arm and sucked in her breath, said something that he could not understand.\n\nHe forced a smile. \"Tokaidō.\"\n\n\"Wakarimasu.\" I understand. Then, before he could stop her she poured water over his head—unexpectedly and not part of his forewarning—and began soaping and washing his long hair, then his body, her fingers hard, expert and insistent, but taking care not to hurt his arm. Arms legs back front, then offering him the cloth and pointing between his legs. Still in shock he cleansed those parts, meekly handed the cloth back. \"Thank you,\" he muttered. \"Oh, sorry, domo.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "More water took away the last of the soap and she pointed to the tub. \"Dozo!\" Please." }, { "from": "human", "value": "André had explained: \"Phillip, just remember that, unlike with us, you have to be washed and clean before you get into the bath, so others can use the same water—which is very sensible, don't forget wood is very expensive and it takes a long time to heat enough—so don't piss in it either, and don't think of her as a woman when you're in the bathhouse, just a helper. She cleans you outside, then inside, no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer eased himself into the tub." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was hot but not too hot and he closed his eyes, not wanting to watch the woman making the bath tidy. Christ, he thought in misery, I'll never be able to perform with her. André's made a vast mistake.\n\n\"But... well, I, er, don't know how much I, er, pay, or do I give the girl the money first or what?\"\n\n\"Mon Dieu, you should never actually give money to any girl, anywhere, that's the height of bad manners, though you can barter savagely with the mama-san, sometimes with the girl herself, but only after tea or saké. Before you leave you'd put it discreetly in a place she would see it. In the House of the Three Carp, you give no money, it's a special place—there are others like it—only for special customers, one of which I am. They'll send you a bill, two or three times a year. But listen, before we go there you have to swear by God that you'll pay the bill the moment it's presented, and that you will never, never introduce anyone else there or talk about it.\"\n\nSo he had sworn and promised, wanting to ask how much but not daring to. \"The, er, bill, when does that come?\"\n\n\"When it pleases the mama-san. I told you, Phillip, you can have pleasure the year round on credit, under the correct circumstances—of course, I'm surety for you...\"\n\nThe warmth of the bath water permeated him. He hardly heard her bustle out and then, later, bustle back again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Taira-san?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: 'again' should appear 2 times in total" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hai?\" Yes?\n\nShe was holding up a towel. Curiously lethargic, he climbed out, his muscles drowsed by the water, and let her dry him. Once more the special places he did himself, finding it easier this time. A comb for his hair. Dry starched yukata and she motioned him towards the bed.\n\nAgain panic surged through him. Shakily he forced himself to lie down. She covered him, folded back the other coverlet and again left.\n\nHis heart was thundering but lying down felt marvelous, the mattress soft and clean and sweet-smelling, feeling cleaner than he had felt for years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon he was calmer and then the shoji opened and closed and he was filled with utter relief but no longer calm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The half-seen girl was tiny, willowy, pale yellow yukata, hair long and cascading. Now she was kneeling beside the bed. \"Konbanwa, Taira-san. Ikaga desu ka? Watashi wa Ako.\" Good evening, Mr. Taira. Are you well? I am Ako.\n\n\"Konbanwa, Ako-san. Watashi wa Phillip Tyrer desu.\"\n\nShe frowned. \"F... urri... f.\" She tried to say Phillip several times but could not, then laughed gaily, said something he did not understand, ending with Taira-san.\n\nHe was sitting up now, watching her, heart pounding, helpless, not attracted by her, and now she was pointing to the other side of the bed. \"Dozo?\" Please, may I?\n\n\"Dozo.\" In the candlelight he could not see her clearly, just enough to think that she was young, he estimated about his own age, that her face was smooth and white with powder, teeth white, lips red, hair shiny, nose almost Roman, eyes narrow ellipses, her smile kind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She got into the bed and settled herself, turned and watched him. Waiting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His shyness and inexperience paralyzed him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Christ, how do I tell her I don't want her, don't want anyone now, that I can't, I know I can't and it won't... it won't tonight, it won't and I'll disgrace myself and André... André!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What can I tell him? I'll be a laughingstock. Oh, Christ, why did I agree?\n\nHer hand reached out and touched his cheek. Involuntarily he shivered.\n\nAko murmured sweet sounding words of encouragement but inside she was smiling, knowing what to expect from this child of a man, well prepared by Raiko-san: \"Ako, tonight is a rare moment in your life and you must remember every detail to regale us with at first meal. Your client is a friend of Frenchy, and unique in our world—he's virgin. Frenchy says he is so shy you will not believe it, that he will be frightened, will probably weep when his Honorable Weapon fails him, he may even wet the bed in his frustrated excitement, but do not worry, dear Ako, Frenchy assures me you can deal with him in the normal way, and that you've nothing to worry about.\"\n\n\"Eeee, I'll never understand gai-jin, Raiko-san.\"\n\n\"Nor I. Certainly they are all peculiar, uncivilized, but fortunately most are pleasantly rich, it's our destiny to be here so we must make the most of it. Very important, Frenchy says this one is an important English official, potentially a long-term customer so make him experience the Clouds and the Rain, one way or another, even if... even if you have to use the Ultimate.\"\n\n\"Oh ko!\"\n\n\"The honor of the House is at stake.\"\n\n\"Oh! I understand. In that case... Somehow I will.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I have every confidence, Ako-chan, after all you have almost thirty years' experience in our Willow World.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Is he like Frenchy in his tastes, do you think?\"\n\n\"That he enjoys his back part tickled, and occasionally Pleasure Pearls? Perhaps you should be prepared but I asked Frenchy directly if the youth had leanings towards liking men and he assured me no. Curious that Frenchy chose our House to initiate a friend, instead of the others he now frequents.\"\n\n\"The House was not to blame, never. Please, don't think about it, Raiko-chan. I am honored that you have chosen me, I will do everything necessary.\"\n\n\"Of course. Eeee, when you think that the Steaming Stalks of gai-jin are usually much larger than civilized persons, that most gai-jin fornicate satisfactorily though without Japanese vigor, flair and urge to plumb the limits, except for Frenchy, you would think they would be happy fornicators like normal persons. But they are not, they have so many cobwebs in their heads that somehow fornication is not our Most Heavenly Pleasure, but some kind of secret, religious evil. Weird.\"\n\nExperimenting now, Ako moved closer and caressed his chest, then shifted her hand lower and was hard put not to laugh out loud as the youth jerked with fright. It took her a few moments to compose herself. \"Taira-san?\" she murmured.\n\n\"Yes, er, hai, Ako-san?\"\n\nShe took his hand and placed it inside her yukata on her breast, leaned over and kissed his shoulder, forewarned to be careful of the wound in his arm that a courageous shishi had given him. No reaction. Moving against him closer. Whispering how utterly brave, how strong and manly, how fulsome the maid had described him and his fruit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All the while patiently caressing his chest, feeling him shiver but still no passion. Minutes passed." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 11 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still nothing. Her concern grew. Fingers soft as butterflies and yet still he lay inert—hands, lips, everything. Gently caressing, careful to circle, no real intimacy yet. More minutes. Still nothing. Her dismay mounted. Fear that she might fail overlay her dismay. Touching his ear with her tongue.\n\nAh, a slight reward: her name spoken throatily and his lips kissing her neck. Eeee, she thought, and relaxed and put her lips around his nipple. Now it's only a matter of time to explode his virginity to the skies, then I can order some saké and sleep till dawn and forget that I am forty-three and childless, and only remember that Raiko-san rescued me from the sixth-class House that my age and lack of beauty had relegated me to." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Remember to mention: \"I meant in bed, how was she? Better than the others?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer was idly watching the samurai in the Legation square, the sun touching the horizon, his mind increasingly beset by Ako, then two nights later, Hamako. Then Her.\n\nFujiko. The night before last.\n\nHe felt himself hardening and eased that part more comfortably, knowing that now he was inexorably caught in that world, the Floating World where, as André had told him, living was only for the moment, for pleasure, drifting with never a care like a blossom in the current of a calm river.\n\n\"It's not always calm, Phillip. What's she like, Fujiko?\"\n\n\"Oh, er, haven't you seen her, don't you know her?\"\n\n\"No, I only told Raiko-san the sort of girl you might like, the accent being on 'sleeping dictionary.' How was she?\"\n\nHe had laughed to cover his complete embarrassment and disquiet at being asked such a personal question so directly. But André had given him so much that he wanted to be \"French\" and forthright, so he put aside his misgivings that a gentleman should not discuss or disclose such personal information. \"She... she's younger than I am, small, tiny in fact, not—not pretty in our terms, but she's astonishingly attractive. I think I understood her to say that she was new there.\"\n\n\"I meant in bed, how was she? Better than the others?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh. Well, there was, er, well, no comparison.\"\n\n\"Was she more vigorous? Sensuous? Eh?\"\n\n\"Well, yes, er, dressed or undressed, incredible. Special. Again I can't thank you enough, I owe you so much.\"\n\n\"De rien, mon vieux.\"\n\n\"It's true. Next time... next time you'll meet her.\"\n\n\"Mon Dieu, no, that's a rule. Never introduce your 'special' to anyone, least of all a friend. Don't forget, until you set her up in your own place, with you paying the bills, she's available for anyone with the money—if she wants.\"\n\n\"Oh. I'd forgotten,\" he had said, hiding the truth.\n\n\"Even if she's set up she could still have a lover on the side if she wants. Who's to know?\"\n\n\"I suppose so.\" More anguish.\n\n\"Don't fall in love, my friend, not with a courtesan. Take them for what they are, pleasure persons. Enjoy them, like them but don't love them—and never let them fall in love with you...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer shivered, hating the truth, hating the idea of her being with another, and bedding as they had bedded, hating that it was for money, hating the ache that was in his loins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My God, she really was so special, lovely, liquid, a sweet chatterbox, gentle, kind, so young and only in the House for such a short time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should I set her up? Not should, could I? I'm sure André has his own place with his special friend though he's never said, nor would I ever ask. Christ, how much would that cost? Bound to be more than I could afford...\n\nDon't think about that now! Or her.\n\nWith an effort he put his attention on the garden below but the ache remained. Part of the Highland detachment were assembling around the flagstaff, the trumpeter and four kettledrummers already in position for the lowering of the flag. Routine. The motley group of gardeners were collecting by the gate to be counted and then dismissed. They grovelled their way through the gates and through the samurai and were gone. Routine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sentries closed and bolted the iron gates. Routine." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Drums and trumpet sounding as the Union Jack was slowly lowered—no sun sets on the British flag was British law throughout the world. Routine. Most of the samurai marching away now, leaving only a token force for the night. Routine.\n\nTyrer shivered.\n\nIf everything's routine why am I so nervous?" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Legation gardeners trooped into their dormitory hovel that adjoined the other side of the Buddhist temple. None of them met Hiraga's gaze. All had been warned that their lives, and the lives of all their generations, depended on his safety.\n\n\"Beware of talking to strangers,\" he had told them. \"If the Bakufu find you've harbored me your reward will be just the same, except you will be crucified, not killed cleanly.\"\n\nWith all their abject protestations that he was safe, that he could trust them, Hiraga knew that he was never secure. Since the Anjo ambush ten days ago, most of the time he had been at their Kanagawa safe house, the Inn of the Midnight Blossoms. That the attack had failed and all but one of his companions killed was karma, nothing else.\n\nYesterday a letter had arrived from Katsumata, the leading, though clandestine, Satsuma shishi, now in Kyōto: Urgent: in a few weeks, Shōgun Nobusada will create an unheard-of precedent by coming here to pay the Emperor a state visit. All shishi are advised to gather here at once to plan how to intercept him, to send him onwards, then to take possession of the Palace Gates. Katsumata had signed his code name: Raven." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga had discussed what to do with Ori, then decided to return here to Yedo, determined to act alone to destroy the British Legation, furious that the Council of Elders seemed to have been bamboozled and neutralized by the gai-jin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Kyōto can wait, Ori. We've got to press home our attack on the gai-jin. We must infuriate them until they bombard Yedo. Others can deal with the Shōgun and Kyōto.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"please excuse this stupid person.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He would have brought Ori but Ori was helpless, his wound worse, with no help from any doctor. \"What about your arm?\"\n\n\"When it's unbearable, I'll commit seppuku,\" Ori had said, his words slurred from the saké he was using to dampen the pain—the three of them, he, Ori and the mama-san, having a final drink together. \"Don't worry.\"\n\n\"Isn't there another doctor, a safe one?\"\n\n\"No, Hiraga-san,\" the mama-san, Noriko, said. She was a tiny woman of fifty, her voice soft. \"I even sent for a Korean acupuncturist and herbalist, both friends, but the poultices have been no value. There's the giant gai-jin...\"\n\n\"You're stupid,\" Ori shouted. \"How many times must I tell you? This is a bullet wound, one of their bullets, and they saw me at Kanagawa!\"\n\n\"Please excuse me,\" the mama-san said humbly, her head to the tatami, \"please excuse this stupid person.\" She bowed again and left, but in her secret heart she was cursing Ori for failing to be a true shishi and not committing seppuku while Hiraga was here, the most perfect second a man could wish for, and so lessen the awful danger surrounding her and her House." }, { "from": "human", "value": "News of the fate of the Inn of the Forty-seven Ronin had rushed fifty ri and beyond—an outrageous retribution to kill all patrons, courtesans and servants and to spike the head of the mama-san." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Monstrous, she thought, inflamed. How can a House forbid any samurai entrance, shishi or not? In olden days samurai killed much more than today, yes, but that was centuries ago and mostly only when it was merited and not women or children. That was when the law of the land was just, Shōgun Toranaga just, his son and grandson just, before corruption and dissipation became a way of life for descendant Shōguns, daimyo and samurai alike, who for a century and more have spread their rapacious taxations over us like pus! The shishi are our only hope! Sonnojoi!\n\n\"Anjo must die before we die,\" she said fervently when Hiraga had at length returned safely two days after the attack. \"We've been petrified you'd been caught and burnt with the others. It was all done on Anjo's orders, Hiraga-san, on his orders—in fact he was returning from the Inn when you attacked him near the castle gates, he had personally ordered and witnessed the executions, leaving men there in ambush in case all you shishi returned unawares.\"\n\n\"Who betrayed us, Hiraga?\" Ori had asked.\n\n\"The Mori samurai.\"\n\n\"But Akimoto said he saw them engulfed and killed.\"\n\n\"It must have been one of them. Did anyone else escape?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Akimoto—he hid out in another Inn for a day and a night.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Where is he now?\"\n\nNoriko said, \"He's occupied—shall I send for him?\"\n\n\"No. Tomorrow I will see him.\"\n\n\"Anjo must pay in blood for the Inn—that's against all custom!\"\n\n\"He will. So will the roju. So will Shōgun Nobusada. And so will Yoshi.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In his private quarters high up in the castle keep, Yoshi was composing a poem." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wore a blue silk kimono and sat at a low table, an oil lamp on it and sheets of rice paper, brushes of different thicknesses, water to soften the block of jet ink that now had a tiny, inviting pool in the hollowed-out center." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Twilight was becoming night." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From outside the hum of Yedo's million souls was ever present." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few houses on fire as usual. From the castle below the comforting, muted noise of soldiers, hooves on cobblestones, an occasional throaty laugh wafting upwards with the smoke and smells of the cooking fires through the decorative, bowman openings in the vast walls, not yet shuttered against the night chill.\n\nThis was his inner sanctum. Spartan. Tatamis, a tokonoma, the shoji door in front of him so positioned and lit that he could see the shape of any figure outside but no one there could look within." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Outside this room was a larger anteroom with corridors leading off it to sleeping quarters, empty at present except for retainers, maids and Koiko, his special favorite." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His family—his wife, two sons and a daughter, his consort and her son—were all safe and heavily guarded in his hereditary, fortress castle, Dragon's Tooth, in the mountains some twenty ri northwards. Beyond this antechamber were guards and other rooms with other guards, all sworn to his personal service.\n\nHis brush dipped into the ink pool. He poised the point over the delicate rice paper then wrote firmly:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sword of my fathers" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When in my hands\n\nTwists uneasily" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The writing was in three short, flowing vertical lines of characters, strong where they should be strong and soft where softness would enhance the picture that the characters made—never a second chance to refine or change or correct even the slightest fault, the texture of the rice paper sucking in the ink at once to become indelibly a part of it, varying the black to grey depending how the brush was used and the amount of water therein.\n\nColdly, he scrutinized what he had done, the placement of the poem and the whole picture that the shades of black calligraphy made within the expanse of white, the shape and the fluid, obscured clearness of his characters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's good, he thought without vanity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cannot do better yet—this is almost to the limit of my capability, if not at the limit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What about the meaning of the poem, how it should be read?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'that's' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah, that's the important question, that's why it is good. But will it achieve what I want?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These questions prompted him to review the shocking state of affairs here and at Kyōto. Word arrived a few days ago that there had been a sudden bloody but successful coup there by Choshu troops who had thrown out Satsuma and Tosa forces who had, for the last six months, held power there in an uneasy truce." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lord Ogama of Choshu now commanded the Palace Gates." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the hastily convened meeting of the Council tempers had flared, Anjo almost frothing with fury. \"Choshu, Satsuma and Tosa! Always those three. They're dogs who must be crushed! Without them everything would be in control.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"True,\" Yoshi had said, \"I tell you all again we must order our troops in Kyōto to put down the rebellion at once—whatever the cost!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, we have to wait, we have insufficient forces there.\"\n\nToyama, the old man, wiped his grizzled chin and said, \"I agree with Yoshi-dono. War is the only way, we must declare Ogama of Choshu outlaw!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Impossible!\" Adachi had said querulously, for himself and the last Elder. \"We agree with Anjo, we cannot risk offending all daimyos, encouraging them to mass against us.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We must act at once!\" he had repeated. \"We must order our troops to retake the Gates, put down the rebellion.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We have insufficient forces,\" Anjo had said stubbornly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We will wait. Now is not the time.\"\n\n\"Why won't you listen to my advice?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "By now Yoshi was so angered that it almost surfaced." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had contained it with an effort, knowing that to rave and lose his temper would be a fatal error and turn them all permanently against him. Wasn't he the youngest, the least experienced but the most qualified, with the most influence amongst daimyos, who could, if he wished, alone amongst the Elders, raise his standard and pitch the whole country into civil war as had existed for centuries before the Shōgun Toranaga?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were they not all jealous and spitting when he was appointed Guardian and an Elder by Imperial \"request\" without consulting them, by whomever the Son of Heaven was manipulated? \"I know I'm right. Wasn't I right about the gai-jin? I'm right about this.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The plan he had conceived to remove the gai-jin and their fleet from Yedo to gain time to deal with their own internal problems had been a perfect success. It was so simple: \"With great ceremony and feigned humility we give the gai-jin a pittance of a ransom, propose a future meeting with the Council which will be delayed and further delayed or cancelled, or even staged with puppets if need be, implying at the last moment, when their patience is at an end, that a meeting with the Shōgun when he returns is to be arranged—which can also be delayed, renegotiated and delayed and will never happen, or even if it does sometime in the future, it will produce nothing we do not wish.\n\n\"We gained some of the time we needed, and discovered a permanent way of dealing with them: use their impatience against them, give them 'promises' and lots of soup but no fish, or at the most a few rotting pieces we don't need or want. They were satisfied; their fleet sailed away into the storm and perhaps under the sea. None have returned yet.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Old Toyama said, \"The gods aided us with that storm, again their Divine Wind, kamikaze wind, as they did against Kublai Khan's invading hordes centuries ago. When we expel them it will be the same, the gods will never forsake us.\"\n\nAdachi had been preening himself." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 2 instance(s) of the word 'gai-jin'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's true I carried out our plan to perfection. The gai-jin were as docile as a fifth-rate courtesan.\"\n\n\"Gai-jin are a sore that will never heal while we are weaker in military power or wealth,\" Anjo said irritably, wringing his hands." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They are a sore that will not heal—not without burning it out, and we cannot do that yet, not yet, not without means to build ships and make cannon. We cannot be diverted and order troops to take the Gates, not yet. They are not the immediate enemy, nor Choshus, the immediate enemy is sonnojoi and shishi dogs.\"\n\nYoshi had noticed how very much Anjo had changed since the assassination attempt: now he was far more irascible, stubborn, his resolve weakened though his influence over the other Elders had not." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't agree but if you think we have insufficient forces let us order a general mobilization and let us finish the outside lords and any who join them!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Toyama said, \"War is the only way, Anjo-sama, forget shishi, forget gai-jin for the moment. The Gates—first we must repossess our hereditary rights.\"\n\nAnjo had said, \"We will, at the right time. Next: the Shōgun's visit will go forth as planned.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over his further protests Anjo had again carried the vote, three to two, and in private had added malevolently, \"I told you, Yoshi-dono, they will always vote with me, shishi will never succeed against me, nor will you, nor will anyone.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Even Shōgun Nobusada?\"\n\n\"He... he is not an enemy and he takes my advice.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And the Princess Yazu?\"\n\n\"She will obey... she will obey her husband.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She will obey her brother, the Emperor, until she dies.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To his shock Anjo had said with a twisted smile, \"You propose an accident? Eh?\"\n\n\"I propose nothing of the sort.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi felt chilled, afraid the man was becoming too dangerous to leave alive, already too powerful to neutralize, too farsighted, supported by a swarm of cohorts ready and able to swallow him up..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A silhouette was approaching the door, almost noiselessly. Without thinking his right hand went to his long sword that lay beside him even though he was sure he recognized her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The figure knelt. Delicate knock.\n\n\"Yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She slid the door back smiling, bowed and waited." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please come in, Koiko,\" he said, delighted with this unexpected visit, all his demons vanishing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She obeyed, closed the door and ran over to him, her long, multipatterned kimono sibilant, knelt again and pressed her cheek to his hand, at once noticing the picture poem. \"Good evening, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He laughed, and gave her a tender hug." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"To what do I owe this pleasure?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I missed you,\" she said simply." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"May I see your poem?\"\n\n\"Of course.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As she studied his work, he studied her, a constant pleasure for him in the thirty-four days she had been here within the castle walls. Extraordinary clothes. Pure eggshell skin, shining raven hair that, when loosed, would reach to her waist, delicate nose, her teeth left white as were his and not blackened in Court fashion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Stupid!\" his father had said to him as soon as he could understand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why should we blacken our teeth just because it's a Court custom started by an Emperor centuries ago whose teeth were old and rotting, who therefore decreed that dyed teeth were superior to having teeth like animals! And why use paints for our lips and cheeks as some still do because another wanted to be a woman and not a man, pretended to be one, and courtiers imitated him-her to curry favor.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Koiko was twenty-two years old, Tayu, the highest possible grade of geisha in the Willow World.\n\nHearing whispers about her and curious, some months ago he had sent for her, enjoyed her company and then, two months ago, had ordered her mama-san to submit a proposal for her services." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Correctly the proposal had gone to his wife to deal with." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His wife had written from Dragon's Tooth, their castle home:\n\nBeloved Husband, I have today concluded satisfactory arrangements with the mama-san for the Tayu Koiko of the House of Wisteria." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sire, we considered it is better to have her exclusivity than a first option on her services, and also safer as you are surrounded by enemies. At your whim the contract is renewable monthly, payment monthly in arrears to ensure that her services are maintained to the very high standard you should expect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your Consort and I are pleased that you have decided to have a toy, we were and are continually most concerned for your health and safety." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "May I compliment you on your choice, it is rumored that Koiko is rare indeed.\n\nYour sons are well and happy, and your daughter and myself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We send our everlasting loyalty and long for your presence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please keep me closely advised as I must direct our Paymaster to set aside funds..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Correctly his wife had not mentioned the amount, nor would it concern him, for that was a prime wifely function: to manage and guard the family wealth and pay all bills." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Koiko looked up. \"Your poem is flawless, Yoshi-chan,\" she said, and clapped her hands, the \"chan\" an intimate diminutive.\n\n\"You're flawless,\" he said, hiding his pleasure at her judgment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apart from her unique physical attributes, she was renowned in Yedo for the quality of her calligraphy, the beauty of her poems, and her shrewdness in art and politics.\n\n\"I adore the way you write, and the poem, it is superb. I adore the complexity of your mind, particularly why you chose 'when' and not perhaps 'now,' and 'twists' when a lesser man could use 'moves' or the more blatant 'stirs,' which would give it sexual overtones. But the placement of your final word, the final 'uneasily'—ah, Yoshi-chan, how clever to use that word last, an underneath word, perfect. Your creation is superb and can be read a dozen ways.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And what do you think I'm saying?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes lit. \"First tell me if you intend to keep it—to keep it openly, secretly or to destroy it.\"\n\n\"What is my intention?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "he asked, enjoying her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If you keep it openly, or pretend to hide it, or pretend it's secret, you plan it to be read by others who, one way or another, will inform your enemies, as you want.\"\n\n\"And what will they think?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"All but the cleverest will presume that your resolve is weakening, your fears are beginning to overrun you.\"\n\n\"And the others?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Koiko's eyes lost none of their amusement but he saw them pick up an added glint." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'would' appears 6 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of your chief adversaries,\" she said delicately, \"Shōgun Nobusada would interpret it that in your inner mind you agree with him that you are not strong enough to be a real threat, and he'll happily postulate it will become easier and easier to eliminate you the longer he waits. Anjo would be consumed with envy at your prowess as a poet and calligraphier and would sneer at the 'uneasily,' believing it to be unworthy and ill chosen, but the poem would obsess him, worrying him, particularly if it was reported as a secret document, until he would have eighty-eight inner meanings all of which would increase his implacable opposition to you.\"\n\nHer openness dazzled him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And if I kept it, secretly?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She laughed. \"If you wanted to keep it secret, then you would have burnt it at once and never shown it to me. Sad to destroy such beauty, so sad, Yoshi-chan, but necessary to a man in your position.\"\n\n\"Why? It's just a poem.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I believe this one is special. It is too good. Such art comes from deep wells within. It reveals. Revelation is the purpose of poetry.\"\n\n\"Go on.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes seemed to change color as she wondered how far she dared go, always testing intellectual limits—to entertain and excite her patron, if that was his interest. He noticed the change but did not discern the reason." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"For example,\" she said easily, \"to the wrong eyes it could be construed that your innermost thought was really saying: 'The power of my ancestor namesake, Shōgun Toranaga Yoshi, is within my grasp, begs to be used.'\"\n\nHe watched her and she could not read his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eeee, he was thinking, all his senses shrieking danger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Am I so apparent?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps this lady is too perceptive to keep alive." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word restriction: Use 'would' 2 time(s) only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And the Princess Yazu? What would she think?\"\n\n\"She's the cleverest of all, Yoshi-chan. But then you know that. She would realize the meaning instantly—if you have a special meaning.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again her eyes could not be read." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And if as a present to you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Then this unworthy person would be filled with joy to be given such a treasure—but in a quandary, Yoshi-chan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Quandary?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is too special, to give or to receive.\"\n\nYoshi took his eyes off her and looked at his work very carefully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was everything he desired, he could never duplicate it. Then he considered her, with equal finality." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'paper' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He watched his fingers pick up the paper and hand it to her, closing the trap.\n\nReverently she received the paper with both hands and bowed low." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Intently she scrutinized it, wanting the whole of it to be put indelibly in her memory as the ink on the paper. A deep sigh. Carefully she held the corner near the oil flame." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"With your permission, Yoshi-sama, please?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she said formally, looking at him, eyes steady, hands steady." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why?\" he asked, astonished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Too dangerous for you to leave such thoughts alive.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And if I refuse?\"\n\n\"Then, please excuse me, I must decide for you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then decide.\"\n\nAt once she lowered the paper into the flame." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It caught and flared up. Deftly she twisted it until only a tiny scrap was still burning, the ash still in one piece, carefully balanced it on another sheet until the flame died." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her fingers were long and delicate, fingernails perfection. In silence they folded the paper containing the ashes into an origami and put it back on the table." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The paper now resembled a carp.\n\nWhen Koiko looked up again her eyes were filled with tears and his affection went out to her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, please excuse me,\" she said, her voice breaking, \"But too dangerous for you... so sad to have to destroy such beauty, I wanted so very much to keep it. So very sad but too dangerous...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tenderly, he took her in his arms, knowing that what she had done was the only solution, for him, and for her, awed by her insight in discerning his original intent: that he had planned to hide it, designed to be found and passed on to all those she named, particularly the Princess Yazu.\n\nKoiko's right, I can see that now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yazu would have seen through my ploy and read my real thoughts: that her influence over Nobusada must vanish, or I am a dead man. Isn't that just another way of saying \"Power of my ancestor...\" But for Koiko I might have put my head on their spike!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Don't cry, little one,\" he murmured, sure now that she could be trusted.\n\nAnd while she allowed herself to be gentled and then warmed and then to warm him she was thinking within her third heart, her most secret heart—the first for all the world to see, the second only opened to innermost family, the third never never never revealed to anyone—in this secret place she was sighing silently with relief that she had passed another test, for test it surely was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too dangerous for him to keep such treason alive, but much more dangerous for me to have it in my possession." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, my beautiful patron, it is easy to adore you, to laugh and play games with you, to pretend ecstasy when you enter me—and godlike to remember that at the end of each day, every day I have earned one koku. Think of that, Koiko-chan!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "One koku a day, for every day, for being part of the most exciting game on earth, with the most exalted name on earth, with a young, handsome, astonishing man of great culture whose stalk is the best I have ever experienced... and yet at the same time to earn more wealth than any, ever before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her hands and lips and body were responding adroitly, closing, opening, opening further, receiving him, guiding him, helping him, an exquisitely fine-tuned instrument for him to play upon, allowing herself to brink, pretending ecstasy perfectly, pretending to plunge again and again but never plunging—too important to retain her energies and wits, for he was a man of many appetites—enjoying the contest, never hurrying but always pressing forward, now teetering him on the crevasse, letting him go and pulling him back, letting him go, pulling back, letting go in a seizure of relief.\n\nQuiet now. His sleeping weight not unpleasant, stoically borne, careful not to move lest she disturb his peace." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few miles south of Kyōto in twilight, a vicious rearguard skirmish was in progress between fleeing Satsuma troops and Choshu forces of Lord Ogama who had recently seized control of the Palace Gates from them. The Satsuma sword master, Katsumata, the secret shishi, supported by a hundred mounted samurai, was leading the fight to protect the escape of Lord Sanjiro and their main Satsuma force a few miles southwards. They were heavily outnumbered. The country was open, wind blustering with a heavy stench of human manure from the fields and above an ominous buildup of storm clouds.\n\nAgain Katsumata led a furious charge that broke through the forward ranks towards the standard of the Choshu daimyo, Ogama, also mounted, but they were forced back bloodily, with heavy losses as reinforcements rushed to protect their leader.\n\n\"All troops advance!\" Ogama shouted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was twenty-eight, a heavyset angry man wearing light bamboo and metal armor and war helmet, his sword out and bloodied." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Bypass these dogs! Go around them! I want Sanjiro's head!\"\n\nAt once aides rushed off to relay his orders.\n\nThree or four miles away, Lord Sanjiro and the remnants of his force were hurrying for the coast and Osaka, twenty-odd miles away, to seek boats to carry them home to the South Island of Kyūshū, and the safety of their capital, Kagoshima, four hundred sea miles southwest.\n\nIn all there were about eight hundred fighters, well equipped and fanatic samurai desperate to rush back to join the fight, still smarting from their defeat and being forced out of Kyōto a week ago. Ogama had staged a sudden night attack, ringing their barracks and setting fire to the buildings, abrogating the solemn agreements between them.\n\nWith many losses the Satsumas had fought their way out of the city to the village of Fushimi where Sanjiro angrily regrouped, Choshu detachments dogging them. \"We are trapped.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of his captains said, \"Lord, I propose an immediate counterattack, towards Kyōto.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Katsumata said emphatically, \"Too dangerous, too many troops against us, they will overwhelm us. Sire, you will alienate all daimyos and further frighten the Court. I propose you offer Ogama a truce—if he allows an orderly withdrawal.\"\n\n\"On what grounds?\"\n\n\"As part of the truce you accept that his forces will be custodians of the Gates—his forces, not the Tosa, and that will sow further dissension between them.\"\n\n\"I cannot accept that,\" Sanjiro had said, shaking with rage that Ogama had duped him. \"Even if I did he will not consent, why should he? We are in his grasp. He can piss all over us. If I were him I would fall on us here before midday.\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord, he will—unless we forestall him. We can by this ruse, he's not a real fighter like you—his troops are not filled with zeal like ours, nor are they as well trained. He only succeeded against us because he fell on us by night in a filthy betrayal. Remember, his alliance with the Tosa is precarious. He must consolidate his hold of the Gates and has insufficient troops to meet every problem for the next few weeks. He has to organize and get reinforcements without provoking opposition. And soon the Bakufu must come back in force to take back the Gates as is their right.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "By Toranaga Edict, all daimyos visiting Kyōto were limited to five hundred guards, all of whom had to live under severe restrictions in their own fief barracks, built by decree without defenses." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The same Edict allowed Shōgunate forces to number more than all the others together. Over the centuries of peace the Bakufu had allowed these laws to languish. In recent years, Tosa, Choshu and Satsumas daimyos—depending on personal strength—had twisted the bureaucracy to increase their numbers until forced to send the added warriors home.\n\n\"Ogama is not a fool, he will never let me escape,\" Sanjiro said. \"I would spike him if I had him trapped.\"\n\n\"He is not a fool, but he can be manipulated.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Katsumata dropped his voice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Added to the Gates, you could agree that, if or when there is a Convention of Daimyos, you would support his claims to head the Council of Elders.\"\n\nSanjiro exploded, \"Never! He has to know I would never agree to that. Why should he believe such nonsense?\"\n\n\"Because he is Ogama. Because he has fortified his Shimonoseki Straits with dozens of cannon from his not-so-secret, Dutch-built weapons factory and believes therefore, rightly, he can stop gai-jin ships from using it at his whim, yet still be safe against them. That he alone, he thinks, can put into practice the Emperor's wish to expel the gai-jin, that he alone can restore the trappings of power to the Emperor—why shouldn't he claim the big prize, tairō—Dictator?\"\n\n\"The Land will be torn apart before that.\"\n\n\"The last reason he would welcome a possible truce is because, Sire, never before has he possessed the Gates—isn't he an upstart, a usurper, isn't his line ordinary,\" Katsumata said with a sneer, \"not ancient or exalted like yours. A further reason: he will accept the truce you offer because you will offer it to be permanent.\"\n\nIn the rumble of astonished, angry opposition, Sanjiro had stared at his counselor, astounded at the vast range of concessions Katsumata proposed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not understanding, but knowing Katsumata too well, he dismissed the others." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What is behind all this?\" he asked impatiently. \"Ogama must know any truce is only good until I am safe behind my mountains where I will mobilize all Satsuma and then march on Kyōto to repossess my rights, avenge the insult and take his head. Why such nonsense from you?\"\n\n\"Because you are in mortal danger like never before, Sire. You are trapped. There are spies amongst us. I need time to organize boats in Osaka, and I have a battle plan.\"\n\nAt length Sanjiro had said, \"Very well. Negotiate.\"\n\nThe negotiations had so far lasted six days.\n\nDuring this time Sanjiro placidly stayed at Fushimi, but with spies on all roads to and from Kyōto." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As a measure of mutual trust, Sanjiro had agreed to move into a less defensible position, and Ogama had withdrawn all but a token force athwart the escape route." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then both waited for the other to make a mistake.\n\nWith supreme power in Kyōto, however tenuous, Ogama, supported by more than a thousand samurai, seemed to be content to tighten his grasp on the Gates, cultivating daimyos and, more particularly, courtiers who were sympathetic. These Ogama persuaded to approach the Emperor, asking Him to \"request\" the immediate resignation of Anjo and the Council of Elders, to convene a Convention of Daimyos who would be given the power to appoint a new Council of Elders—with himself as tairō—who would rule until Shōgun Nobusada came of age, and at one stroke replacing all Toranaga adherents in the Bakufu.\n\nTo Ogama's delight he was told the news of his cannon's firing on gai-jin ships had greatly pleased the Emperor, and that, together with Sanjiro's proffered truce and extraordinary concessions, had further bolstered his influence at Court. \"The truce is accepted,\" he had imperiously told Katsumata yesterday. \"We will ratify the agreement, seven days from now, here in my headquarters. Then you can retire to Kagoshima.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this morning had come the astonishing word of Shōgun Nobusada's proposed visit." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'agree' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once Sanjiro sent for Katsumata. \"What could possess Anjo and Yoshi to agree? Are they mad? Whatever happens they lose.\"\n\n\"I agree, Sire, but this makes your position even more dangerous. With Ogama holding the Gates, therefore access to the Emperor, any enemy of Ogama's is an enemy of the Emperor.\"\n\n\"Obvious! What can I do? What do you suggest?\"\n\n\"Immediately send Ogama a letter suggesting a meeting in three days to discuss the ramifications of the visit—he must be as astonished as any daimyo. Meanwhile, tonight after dark we implement the battle plan.\"\n\n\"We can't escape without Ogama knowing, there are spies all around us, and his troops within easy distance. The moment he hears we're breaking camp he will fall on us.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, but we leave the camp exactly as it is, taking only our weapons—I can outmaneuver him, I know him.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angrily Sanjiro had said, \"If that is so why didn't you sniff out the surprise attack, eh?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'ogama' (3x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, but I did, Katsumata could have said, but it suited me better that Ogama temporarily holds the Gates. Didn't we escape his trap without much trouble? Ogama will never be able to deal with the Court, hostile daimyos, the Tosa, Shōgun Nobusada's visit or the Princess Yazu—not that Nobusada will arrive. Ogama will be held responsible for his death also.\n\n\"So sorry, Sire,\" he had said, pretending an apology, \"I am finding out why your spies failed you. Heads will roll.\"\n\n\"Good.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Attack!\" Katsumata shouted, and again he whirled his horse from feigned flight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once his seemingly scattered cavalry joined into violent phalanxes and burst through their opponents who were sent reeling back in disorder, the cold, wet air heavy with the smell of sweat and fear and blood burning his nostrils." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 12 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Men died to the left and right, his and theirs, but he fought his way through and now the path was almost clear to Ogama but once more he was foiled so he broke off and fled—really retreated this time—those alive following him. Of the hundred only twenty remained.\n\n\"Bring up our reserve! Five hundred koku for Katsumata's head,\" Ogama shouted, \"a thousand for Lord Sanjiro!\"\n\n\"Sire!\" One of his most experienced captains was pointing upwards. Un noticed in the excitement, the storm clouds had taken most of the sky and threads reached out for the moon. \"So sorry, but the road back to Kyōto is difficult and we don't know if those cunning dogs have another ambush waiting.\"\n\nOgama thought a moment. \"Cancel the reserve! Take fifty horsemen and harry them to death. If you bring me either head, I will make you a general, with ten thousand koku. Break off the battle!\"\n\nInstantly his captains hurried away, shouting orders. Ogama sourly peered into the gathering dark where Katsumata and his men had vanished. \"By my ancestors,\" he muttered, \"when I'm tairō, Satsuma will be a Choshu protectorate, the Treaties will be cancelled and no gai-jin ship will ever pass my Straits!\" Then he turned his horse and, with his personal guards, spurred gladly for Kyōto. And destiny." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That same evening in the French Legation at Yokohama the party and recital Seratard had arranged in Angelique's honor was a great success. The chef had surpassed himself: fresh bread, platters of stewed oysters, cold lobster, shrimps and prawns, baked local fish spiced with ginger and garlic served with leeks from his own garden, and tarte aux pommes, the dried apples from France only used on special occasions. Champagne, La Doucette, and a Margaux from his home village of which he was very proud.\n\nAfter dinner and cigars, great applause had heralded André Poncin, an accomplished though reluctant pianist, more applause after each piece, and now, almost midnight and after three encores, there was a standing ovation as the last lovely chord of a Beethoven sonata died away.\n\n\"Marvelous...\"\n\n\"Superb...\"\n\n\"Oh, André,\" Angelique said breathlessly in French from her place of honor near the piano, her mind cleansed of the lurking misery by his music. \"It was beautiful, thank you so very much.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her fan fluttered charmingly, eyes and face perfection, new crinoline over hooped petticoats, low-cut, shoulders bare, the fine green silk cascading in gathered tiers accentuating her wisp of waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Merci, Mademoiselle,\" Poncin replied. He got up and raised his glass, his eyes barely veiled. \"À toi!\"\n\n\"Merci, Monsieur,\" she said, then once more turned back to Seratard, surrounded by Norbert Greyforth, Jamie McFay, Dmitri and other traders, everyone in evening dress with ruffled silk shirts, vivid waistcoats and cravats—some new but most old, crumpled and hastily pressed because she was to be there. Some French army and naval officers, uniforms heavy with braid, dress swords added to the unaccustomed splendor, British military equally like peacocks.\n\nTwo of the other three women in the Settlement were in the crowded, oil-and candle-lit room, Mabel Swann and Victoria Lunkchurch. Both stout, in their early twenties and childless, wives of traders, both cross-eyed with jealousy, their husbands tethered sweatily beside them. \"Tis time, Mr. Swann,\" Mabel Swann said with a sour sniff. \"Yus. Prayers n'bed with a nice English cup of tea.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If you're tired, my dear, you and Vic—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thee, too, Barnaby,\" Victoria Lunkchurch said, her Yorkshire accent as heavy as her hips, \"and put dirty thoughts out of thy head, lad, afore I belt thee proper!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Who me? Wot thorts?\"\n\n\"Those thorts, thee'n that foreign baggage there, may God forgive thee,\" she said with even more venom. \"Out!\"\n\nNo one missed them or knew they had left. All were concentrating on the guest of honor, trying to get nearer, or if they were within the circle, to stop being elbowed out.\n\n\"A splendid evening, Henri,\" Angelique was saying.\n\n\"It's only because of you. By gracing us you make everything better.\" Seratard mouthed gallant platitudes while he was thinking, what a pity you're not already married and therefore ripe for a liaison with a man of culture. Poor girl to have to endure an immature bovine Scot, however rich." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I would like to be your first real lover—it will be a joy to teach you." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 2 instance(s) of the word 'jamie'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You smile, Henri?\" she said, suddenly aware that she had better be careful of this man.\n\n\"I was just thinking how perfect your future will be and that made me happy.\"\n\n\"Ah, how kind you are!\"\n\n\"I think th—\"\n\n\"Miss Angelique, if I may be so bold, we're having a race meet this Saturday,\" Norbert Greyforth broke in, furious that Seratard was monopolizing her, disgusted that the man had the rudeness to speak French, which he did not understand, detesting him and everything French, except Angelique. \"We're—there's going to be a new race, in, er, in your honor. We've decided to call it the Angel Cup, eh, Jamie?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Jamie McFay said, both of them Stewards of the Jockey Club, equally under her spell. \"We, well, we decided it will be the last race of the day and Struan's are providing prize money: twenty guineas for the cup. You'll present the prize, Miss Angelique?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, yes, with pleasure, if Mr. Struan approves.\"\n\n\"Oh, yes, of course.\" McFay had already asked Struan's permission, but he and every man within hearing wondered about the implications of that remark, though all bets against an engagement were off. Even in private, Struan had given him no clue though McFay had felt duty bound to report the rumors.\n\n\"None of their rotten business, Jamie. None.\"\n\nHe had agreed but his disquiet increased. The captain of an incoming merchantman, an old friend, had slipped him a letter from Malcolm's mother asking for a confidential report: I wish to know everything that has happened since this Richaud woman arrived in Yokohama, Jamie. Everything—rumor, facts, gossip—and I need not stress that this is to be a serious secret between us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bloody hell, Jamie thought, I'm committed by holy oath to serve the tai-pan whoever he is and now his mother wants... but then a mother has rights, doesn't she?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not necessarily, but Mrs. Struan has because she's Mrs. Struan and, well, you're used to doing what she wants." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Haven't you done her bidding, her requests and suggestions, for years?\n\nFor the love of God, stop fooling yourself, Jamie, hasn't she truly been running Culum and Struan's for years, and neither you nor anyone has ever wanted to face the fact openly?\n\n\"That's right,\" he muttered, shocked by the thought he had been afraid to bring to the front of his mind. Suddenly uncomfortable, he hastily covered his lapse, but everyone was still concentrating on Angelique.\n\nExcept Norbert. \"What's right, Jamie?\" he asked under the buzz of conversation, his smile flat.\n\n\"Everything, Norbert. Great evening, eh?\" To his great relief, Angelique diverted them both." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good night, good night, Henri, gentlemen,\" she said over general protests. \"I'm sorry but I must see my patient before I sleep.\" She held out her hand. With practiced elegance, Seratard kissed it, Norbert, Jamie and the others awkwardly and before anyone else could volunteer, André Poncin said, \"Perhaps I may escort you to your home?\"\n\n\"Of course, why not? Your music transported me.\"\n\nThe night was cool and overcast but pleasant enough, her woolen shawl decoratively around her shoulders, the bottom ruffle of her wide, hooped skirt dragging carelessly in the dirt of the wooden sidewalk—so necessary during the summer rains that transformed all roads into bogs. Only one small part of her mind dragging with it.\n\n\"André, your music is wonderful—oh, how I wish I could play like you,\" she said, meaning it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's only practice, just practice.\"\n\nThey strolled along towards the brightly lit Struan Building, speaking companionably in French, André very aware of the envious glances of the men streaming across the street to the Club—boisterous, packed, and inviting—warmed by her, not with lust or passion or desire, just with her company and happy chattering that hardly ever required an answer.\n\nLast night at Seratard's \"French\" dinner in a private room in the Yokohama Hotel, he had sat beside her and found her youth and seeming frivolity refreshing; her love and knowledge of Paris, the restaurants, theatres, the talk of her young friends, laughing about them and strolling or riding in the Bois, all the excitement of the Second Empire filling him with nostalgia, reminding him of his university days and how much he, too, missed home.\n\nToo many years in Asia—China and here.\n\nCurious this girl is so much like my own daughter. Marie's same age, birthdays the same month, July, same eyes, same coloring...\n\nHe corrected himself: Perhaps like Marie. How many years since I broke with Françoise and left the two of them in her family pension, near the Sorbonne, I boarded in?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seventeen. How many years since I last saw them? Ten." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Merde, I should never have married, Françoise enceinte or not. I was the fool, not her, at least she remarried and runs the pension. But Marie?\n\nThe sound of the waves took his vision to the sea. A stray gull cawed overhead. Not far offshore were the riding lights of their anchored flagship and that broke the spell, reminding him and concentrating his mind.\n\nIronic, this slip of a girl now becomes an important pawn in the Great Game, France versus Britain. Ironic but life. Do I leave it until tomorrow, or the next day, or deal the cards as we agreed, Henri and I?\n\n\"Ah,\" she was saying, her fan fluttering, \"I feel so happy tonight, André, your music has given me so much, has taken me to the Opéra, has lifted me until I can smell the perfume of Paris...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In spite of himself he was beguiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it her, or because she reminds me of what Marie might have been?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't know, but never mind, Angelique, tonight I'll leave you in your happy balloon." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tomorrow is soon enough.\n\nThen his nostrils caught a suggestion of her perfume, Vie de Camille, reminding him of the phial he had acquired from Paris with such difficulty for his musume, Hana—the Flower—and sudden rage swept away his impulse to kindness.\n\nThere was no one within hearing distance, most of the High Street empty. Even so, he kept his voice down. \"Sorry to tell you, but I've some private news you should have. There's no way to break it easily but your father visited Macao some weeks ago and gambled heavily, and lost.\" He saw the swift pallor. His heart went out to her but he continued as he and Seratard had planned. \"Sorry.\"\n\n\"Heavily, André? What does that mean?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The words were barely audible and he saw her staring at him wide-eyed, rigid in the lee of a building." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He has lost everything, his business, your funds.\"\n\nShe gasped. \"Everything? My funds too? But he can't!\"\n\n\"Sorry, he can, and has. He's within the law. You're his daughter, an unmarried woman—apart from being a minor—he's your father with jurisdiction over you and everything you possess, but of course you know that. Sorry. Do you have other money?\" he asked, knowing she did not.\n\n\"Sorry?\" She shivered and fought to make her mind work clearly, the suddenness of knowing that the second of her great terrors was now a reality and common knowledge tore asunder her carefully self-generated cocoon. \"How—how do you know all this?\" she stammered, groping for air. \"My—my funds are mine... he promised.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He changed his mind. And Hong Kong's a village—there are no secrets in Hong Kong, Angelique, no secrets there, or here. Today a message arrived from Hong Kong, couriered from a business partner. He sent the details—he was in Macao at the time and witnessed the debacle.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to seamlessly include 'Doesn't... my father doesn't pay his bills?' in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He kept his voice friendly and concerned as a good friend should be, but telling only half the truth. \"He and I, we own some of your father's paper, loans from last year and still unpaid.\"\n\nAnother fear slashed into her. \"Doesn't... my father doesn't pay his bills?\"\n\n\"No, I'm afraid not.\"\n\nIn anguish she was thinking of her aunt's letter and knew for certain now that her uncle's loan had not been repaid either and he was in jail because... perhaps because of me, she wanted to shout, trying to keep her balance, wishing this was all a dream, oh God, oh God what am I going to do?\n\n\"I want you to know if I can help, please tell me.\"\n\nAbruptly her voice became shrill." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Help me? You've destroyed my peace—if what you say is true. Help me? Why did you tell me this now, why why why when I was so happy?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include this dialogue snippet naturally: \"Enemy, what enemy? Why should I have enemies? I've done nothing to anyone, nothing nothing noth—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Better you should know at once. Better I tell you, than an enemy.\"\n\nHer face twisted. \"Enemy, what enemy? Why should I have enemies? I've done nothing to anyone, nothing nothing noth—\" The tears began flooding. In spite of himself, he held her for a moment, compassionately, then put both hands on her shoulders and shook her.\n\n\"Stop it,\" he said, letting his voice sharpen. \"My God, stop it, don't you understand, I'm trying to help you!\" Several men were approaching on the other side of the street but he saw that they were weaving and concerned only with themselves. No one else nearby, only men making for the Club well down the street behind them, he and she protected by the building's shadow. Again he shook her and she moaned, \"You're hurting me!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to seamlessly include 'I've never said we were going to be married, it... it's a rumor, a rumor, that's all!' in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "but the tears ceased and she came back to herself.\n\nPartly to herself, he thought coldly, this same process repeated a hundred times before with varying degrees of twisted truths and violence, with other innocents he needed to use for the betterment of France, men so much easier to deal with than women. Men you just kicked in the balls or threatened to cut them off, or stuck needles... But women? Distasteful to treat women so.\n\n\"You're surrounded by enemies, Angelique. There're many who don't want you to marry Struan, his mother will fight you every way she—\"\n\n\"I've never said we were going to be married, it... it's a rumor, a rumor, that's all!\"\n\n\"Merde! Of course it's true! He's asked you, hasn't he?\" He shook her again, his fingers rough. \"Hasn't he?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You're hurting me, André. Yes, yes he's asked me.\"\n\nHe gave her a handkerchief, deliberately more gentle. \"Here, dry your eyes, there's not much time.\"\n\nMeekly she obeyed, began to cry, stopped herself. \"Why're you so-awfulllll?\"\n\n\"I'm the only real friend you have here—I'm truly on your side, ready to help, the only real friend you can trust—I'm the only friend you have, I swear it, the only one who can help you.\" Normally he would add fervently, I swear by God, but he judged her hooked, reserving that for later. \"Better you hear the truth secretly. Now you've time to prepare. The news won't arrive for at least a week, that gives you time to make your betrothal solemn and official.\"\n\n\"What?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Struan's a gentleman, isn't he?\" With an effort he covered the sneer. \"An English, sorry, a Scottish, a British gentleman. Aren't they proudly men of their word? Eh? Once the promise is public he can't withdraw whether you're a pauper or not, whatever your father has done, whatever his mother says.\"\n\nI know, I know, she wanted to scream. But I'm a woman and I have to wait, I've been waiting and now it's too late. Is it? Oh, Blessed Mother, help me! \"I don't... don't think Malcolm will blame me for my father or—or listen to his mother.\"\n\n\"I'm afraid he has to, Angelique. Have you forgotten Malcolm Struan is a minor too, however much he's tai-pan? His twenty-first birthday's not till May next year. Until then she can put all sorts of legal restraints on him, even annul a betrothal under English law.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was not completely sure of this but it sounded reasonable and was true under French law." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She could put restraints on you too, perhaps take you to court,\" he added so sadly. \"Struans are powerful in Asia, it's almost their domain. She could have you hauled into court—you know what they say about judges, any judges, eh? She could have you dragged before a magistrate, accuse you of being a coquette, a deceiver, just after his money or worse. She could paint a nasty picture to the judge, you in the dock and defenseless, your father a gambling, bankrupt ne'er-do-well, your uncle in Debtors' Prison, you penniless, an adventuress.\"\n\nHer face became haggard. \"How do you know about Uncle Michel? Who are you?\"\n\n\"There are no tricks, Angelique,\" he said easily. \"How many French citizens are in Asia? Not many, none like you, and people like to gossip. Me, I'm André Poncin, China trader, Japan trader. You've nothing to fear from me. I want nothing but your friendship and trust and to help.\"\n\n\"How? I'm beyond help.\"\n\n\"No, you're not,\" he said softly, watching her carefully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You love him, don't you? You would be the best wife a man can have, given the chance, wouldn't you?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, yes of course...\"\n\n\"Then press him, beguile him, persuade him any way you can to make your betrothal public. I can guide you perhaps.\" Now, at last, he saw that she was really hearing him, really understanding him. Gently he delivered the coup de grâce. \"A wise woman, and you are as wise as you are beautiful, would get married quickly. Very quickly.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "I'll be your writing partner today. I will set the scene and character context, and you will continue with three sentences, keeping within the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan was reading, the oil lamp on the table beside his bed giving enough light, the door to her room ajar. His bed was comfortable and he was engrossed in the story, his silken nightshirt enhancing the color of his eyes, his face still pale and thin with none of its former strength. On the bedside table was a sleeping draft, his pipe and tobacco and matches and water laced with a little whisky: \"Good for you, Malcolm,\" Babcott had said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's the best nighttime medicine you could have, taken weak. Better than the tincture.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Without that I'm awake all night and feel dreadful.\"\n\n\"It's seventeen days now since the accident, Malcolm. It's time to stop. Really to stop, not good to rely on medicine to sleep. Best we stop it for good.\"\n\n\"I tried that before and it didn't work. I'll stop in a day or two...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Curtains were drawn against the night, the room cozy, the ticktock of the ornate Swiss timepiece peaceful. It was almost one o'clock, and the book, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, was one that Dmitri had loaned him this morning saying: \"Think you'll like it, Malc, it's what they call a detective story. Edgar Allan Poe's one of our best writers—sorry, was, he died in '49, the year of the Gold Rush. I've a collection of his books and poems if you like this one.\"\n\n\"Thanks, you're very kind. Good of you to drop by so often. But why so glum today, Dmitri?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"News from home is bad. My folks... it's all bad, Malc, all mixed up, cousins, brothers, uncles on both sides. Hell, you don't want to hear about that. Listen, I've lots of other books, a whole library in fact.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Go on about your family, please,\" he had said, the pain of the day beginning. \"Really, I'd like to hear.\"\n\n\"All right, sure. Well, when my granddaddy and his family came over from Russia, from the Crimea—did I tell you our family were Cossacks—they settled in a little place called Far Hills in New Jersey, farmed there till the War of 1812—my granddad was killed in it—great place for raising horses too, and we prospered. The family stayed in New Jersey mostly, though two of his sons moved south, to Richmond, Virginia. When I was in the army, oh, fifteen-odd years ago—it was just the Union Army then, not North or South. I joined the cavalry and stayed for five years, spent most of my time in the South, South and West, the Indian Wars if you could call them that. Spent part of the time in Texas, a year while it was still a republic, helping them blow off their Indians, then a couple after she joined the Union in '45, we were stationed out of Austin. That's where I met my wife, Emilie—she also comes from Richmond—her pa was a colonel in Supplies. My, that's pretty country around Austin, but more so all around Richmond. Emilie... Can I get you anything?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, no thanks, Dmitri, the pain will pass. Go on, will you... talking, your talking helps me a lot.\"\n\n\"Sure, all right. My Emilie, Emilie Clemm was her name—she was a distant cousin of Poe's wife, Virginia Clemm, which I didn't find out till later but which's why I've a collection of his works.\" Dmitri had laughed. \"Poe was a great writer but a bigger drunk and cocksman. Seems like all writers are bums, drunks and/or fornicators—take Melville—maybe that's what makes them writers, me I can't write a letter without sweating. How about you?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, I can write letters—have to, and keep a journal like most people. You were saying about this Poe?\"\n\n\"I was going to tell you he married Virginia Clemm when she was thirteen—she was also his cousin, imagine that!—and they lived happily ever after but not very if what was reported in the newspapers and gossip was true—he was a randy son of a bitch though she didn't seem to mind. My Emilie wasn't thirteen but eighteen and a Southern belle if ever there was one. We were married when I got out of the army and joined Cooper-Tillman in Richmond—they wanted to expand into armaments and ammunition for export to Asia, which I'd learned a lot about, that and shooting Indians and horse trading. Old Jeff Cooper figured that guns and other goods outward bound from Norfolk, Virginia, would go well with opium up the China coast, silver and tea inbound to Norfolk—but, you know Jeff. Cooper-Tillman and Struan's are old friends, eh?\"\n\n\"Yes, and I hope it remains so. Go on.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Nothing much more, or everything. Over the years, others in the family moved down South and spread out. My ma was from Alabama, I have two brothers and a sister, all younger than me. Now Billy's with the North, New Jersey 1st Cavalry, and my little brother Janny—named after my granddaddy, Janov Syborodin, Janny's cavalry too, but with the 3rd Virginian, Advance Scouts. It's all crap—those two know crap about war and fighting and they'll get themselves killed, sure as hell.\"\n\n\"You... are you going to go back?\"\n\n\"Don't know, Malc. Every day I think yes, every night yes and every morning no, don't want to start killing family, whatever side I'm on.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Why did you leave and come to this godforsaken part of the world?\"\n\n\"Emilie died. She got scarlet fever—there was an epidemic and she was one of the unlucky ones. That was nine years ago—we were just about to have a kid.\"\n\n\"What rotten luck!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. You and me, we've both had our share...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan was so concentrated in his mystery book that he did not hear the outside door to her suite softly open and close, nor the lightness of her tiptoeing, nor notice her peer in for an instant, then disappear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a moment there was an almost imperceptible click as her inner, bedroom door closed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked up. Now listening intently. She had said that she would look in but if he was asleep she would not disturb him. Or if she was tired she would go straight to bed, quiet as a mouse, and see him in the morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Don't worry, darling,\" he had said happily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just have a good time, I'll see you at breakfast. Sleep well and know I love you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I love you too, chéri. Sleep well.\"\n\nThe book was resting in his lap. With an effort he sat upright and swung his legs over the side of the bed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That part was just bearable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But not getting up. Getting up was still beyond him. His heart was pounding and he felt nauseated and lay back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, a little better than yesterday. Got to push, whatever Babcott says, he told himself grimly, rubbing his stomach. Tomorrow I'll try again, three times." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps it's just as well. I'd want to stay with her. God help me, I would have to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he felt better he began to read once more, glad for the book, but now the story did not absorb him as before, his attention wandered, and his mind started to intermix the story with pictures of her about to be murdered, and corpses, him rushing to protect her, other glimpses becoming ever more erotic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length he put the book away, marking the place with a page she had given him, one from her journal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wonder what she writes in it, knowing her to be as diligent as anyone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "About me and her? Her and me?\n\nVery tired now. His hand reached for the lamp to turn the wick down, then stopped. The little wineglass with sleep in it beckoned. His fingers trembled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott's right, I don't need it anymore." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Firmly he doused the light and lay back and closed his eyes, praying for her and his family and that his mother would bless them, and then for himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, God, help me get better—I'm afraid, very afraid.\n\nBut sleep would not take him. Turning or trying to gain comfort hurt him, reminding him of the Tokaidō and Canterbury." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Half asleep half awake, his mind buzzing with the book, the macabre setting and how would it finish? Adding all kinds of pictures. And more pictures, some bad, some beautiful, some vivid, every little movement to get more comfortable bringing blossoms of pain.\n\nTime passed, another hour or minutes, and then he drank the elixir and relaxed contentedly, knowing that soon he would be floating on gossamer, her hand on him, his hand on her, there on her breasts and everywhere, hers equally knowingly, equally welcomed, not only hands." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just after dawn Angelique got out of bed and sat at her dressing table in the bay windows overlooking the High Street and harbor. She was very tired. In the locked drawer was her journal. It was dull red leather and also locked. She slid the little key from its hiding place, unlocked it, then dipped her pen in ink and wrote in it, more as a friend to a friend—her journal these days seemed her only friend, the only one she felt safe with:\n\n\"Friday, 3rd: another bad night and I feel ghastly. It's four days since André gave me the terrible news about Father." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since then I have been unable to write anything, to do anything, have locked my doors and \"taken to my bed\" feigning a fever, apart from once or twice a day going to visit my Malcolm to allay his anxiety, closing the door to everyone except my maid who I hate, though I agreed to see Jamie once, and André." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Poor Malcolm, he was beside himself with worry the first day when I did not appear nor would open my door, and insisted that he be carried on a stretcher into my boudoir to see me—even if they had to break down the door. I managed to forestall him, forcing myself to go to him, saying that I was all right, it was just a bad headache, that, no, I did not need Babcott, that he was not to worry about my tears, telling him privately that it was just \"that time of the month\" and sometimes the flow was great and sometimes my days irregular. He was embarrassed beyond belief that I had mentioned my period! Beyond belief! Almost as though he knew nothing about this female function, at times I don't understand him at all although he's so kind and considerate, the most I've ever known. Another worry: in truth, the poor man is not much better and daily in so much pain I want to cry.\"\n\nBlessed Mother, give me strength! she thought. Then there's the other. I try not to worry but I'm frantic. The day approaches. Then I'll be free from that terror, but not from penury.\n\nShe began to write again.\n\n\"It's so difficult to be private in the Struan building, however comfortable and pleasant, but the Settlement is awful. Not a hairdresser, not a ladies' dressmaker (though I have a Chinese tailor who is very adept at copying what already exists), no hat maker—I haven't yet tried the shoemaker, there's nowhere to go, nothing to do—oh, how I long for Paris, but how can I ever live there now? Would Malcolm move there if we married? Never. And if we don't marry... how can I pay for even a ticket home? How? I've asked myself a thousand times without an answer.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her gaze left the paper and went to the window and to the ships in the bay." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wish I were on one of them, going home, wish I'd never come here. I hate this place... What if... If Malcolm doesn't marry me I'll have to marry someone else but I've no dowry, nothing. Oh God, this isn't what I'd hoped. If I managed to get home, I've still got no money, poor Aunt and Uncle ruined. Colette hasn't got any to lend, I don't know anyone rich or famous enough to marry, or far enough up in society so I could safely become a mistress. I could go on the stage but there it's essential to have a patron to bribe managers and playwrights, and pay for all the clothes and jewels and carriages and a palatial house for soirees—of course you have to bed the patron, at his whim not yours, until you are rich and famous enough and that takes time, and I don't have the connections, or have any friends who do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh dear, I'm so confused." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think I am going to cry again...\n\nShe buried her face in her arms, the tears spilling, careful not to make too much noise lest her maid hear her and start wailing, creating a scene as on the first day. Her nightdress was cream silk, a pale green dressing gown around her shoulders, hair tousled, the room masculine, the curtained four-poster huge, this suite much bigger than Malcolm's. To one side was the anteroom that adjoined his bedroom, a dining room off it that could seat twenty with its own kitchen. Both those doors were bolted. The dressing table was the only frivolity, she had had it curtained with pink satin.\n\nWhen the tears stopped, she dried her eyes and silently studied her reflection in the silver mirror." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No lines, some shadows, face a little thinner than before." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No outward change. She sighed heavily, then began to write again:\n\n\"Crying simply doesn't help. Today I must talk to Malcolm. I simply must. André told me the mail ship is already one day overdue and the news of my catastrophe is bound to arrive with it—why is it English call a ship she or her? Her. I'm terrified Malcolm's mother will be aboard—news of his injury should have reached Hong Kong on the 24th, which gives her just enough time to catch this mail ship. Jamie doubts she would be able to leave at such short notice, not with her other children there, her husband dead just three weeks and still being in deepest mourning, poor woman.\n\n\"When Jamie was here, the first time I've ever really talked to him alone, he told me all sorts of stories about the other Struans—Emma is sixteen, Rose thirteen and Duncan ten—most of them sad stories: last year two other brothers, the twins, Robb and Dunross, seven, were drowned in a boating accident just off a place in Hong Kong called Shek-O where the Struans have lands and a summer house." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And years ago when Malcolm was seven, another sister, Mary, then four, died of Happy Valley fever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Poor little thing, I cried all night thinking of her and the twins. So young!\n\n\"I like Jamie but he's so dull, so uncivilized—I mean gauche, that's all—he has never been to Paris and only knows Scotland and Struan's and Hong Kong. I wonder if I could insist that if...\" She crossed that out and changed it to \"when we're married...\" Her pen hesitated. \"Malcolm and I will spend a few weeks in Paris every year—and the children will be brought up there, of course as Catholic.\n\n\"André and I were talking about that yesterday, about being Catholic—he's very kind and takes my mind off problems as his music always does—and how Mrs. Struan was Calvinist Protestant, and what to say if that ever came up. We were talking softly—oh, I am so lucky he is my friend and forewarned me about Father—suddenly he put his fingers to his lips, went to the door and jerked it open. That old hag Ah Tok, Malcolm's amah, had her ear to it and almost fell into the room. André speaks some Cantonese and told her off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"When I saw Malcolm later in the day he was abject in his apologies." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'really' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's unimportant, I said, the door was unlocked, my maid was correctly in the room, chaperoning me, but if Ah Tok wants to spy on me, please tell her to knock and come in. I confess I've been distant and cool to Malcolm and he goes out of his way to be extra pleasant and calm me, but this is how I feel, though also I must confess André advised me to behave so until our betrothal is public.\n\n\"I had to ask André, had to, I'm afraid, ask him for a loan—I felt awful. It's the first time I've ever had to do it but I'm desperate for some cash. He was kind and agreed to bring me twenty louis tomorrow on my signature, enough for incidentals for a week or two-Malcolm just doesn't seem to notice that I need money and I didn't want to ask him...\n\n\"I really do have an almost permanent headache, trying to plan a way out of the nightmare. There is no one I can really trust, even André, though so far he has proved his worth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With Malcolm, every time I start the speech I have rehearsed, I know the words will sound forced, flat and dreadful before I begin so I say nothing." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'today' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"'What is it, darling?' he keeps saying.\n\n\"'Nothing,' I say, then after I've left him and relocked my door, I cry and cry into my pillow. I think I shall go mad with grief—how could my father lie and cheat and steal my money? And why can't Malcolm give me a purse without my having to ask, or offer some so that I can pretend to refuse and then accept gladly? Isn't that a husband's or fiancé's duty? Isn't it a father's duty to protect his beloved daughter? And why is Malcolm waiting and waiting to make our betrothal public? Has he changed his mind? Oh God, don't let that happen...\"\n\nAngelique stopped writing, tears beginning again. One dropped on to the page. Again she wiped her eyes, sipped some water from a tumbler, then continued:\n\n\"Today I will talk to him. I must do it today." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One good piece of news is that the British flagship came back into the harbor safely a few days ago to general rejoicing (we are really quite defenseless without warships)." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ship was battered and had lost a mast, to be closely followed by all other vessels, except a 20-gun steam frigate called Zephyr, with over two hundred aboard. Perhaps it's safe, I hope so. The newspaper here says that fifty-three other seamen and two officers died in the storm, the typhoon.\n\n\"It was terrible, the worst I have ever known. I was terrified, by day and by night. I thought the whole building would be blown away, but it is as solid as Jamie McFay. Much of the native quarter vanished, and there were many fires." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The frigate Pearl was damaged, also losing a mast." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yesterday a note came from Captain Marlowe: I have just heard that you are sick and I send my deepest and most sincere condolences, etc.\n\n\"I don't think I like him, too haughty though his uniform makes him very glamorous and accentuates his manhood—which tight breeches are of course supposed to do, just as we dress to show our breasts and waists and ankles. Another letter arrived last evening from Settry Pallidar, the second, more condolences, etc.\n\n\"I think I hate both of them. Every time I think of them I'm reminded of that hell called Kanagawa and that they did not do their duty and protect me. Phillip Tyrer is still in the Yedo Legation but Jamie said he had heard Phillip was supposed to be coming back tomorrow or the day after. That's very good because when he does I have a plan th—\"\n\nThe dull echoing roar of a cannon made her jump and pulled her attention to the harbor. It was the signal gun. Far out to sea another cannon answered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked beyond the fleet to the horizon and saw the telltale smoke from the funnel of the arriving mail ship.\n\nJamie McFay, a briefcase heavy with mail under his arm, guided a stranger up the main staircase of the Struan Building, sunlight flooding through tall and elegant windows of glass. Both wore woolen frock coats and top hats though the day was warm. The stranger carried a small case. He was squat, bearded, ugly and in his fifties, a head shorter than Jamie though wider in the shoulders, an unruly thatch of long grey hair sprouting from under his hat. They went down the corridor. McFay knocked gently. \"Tai-pan?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Come in, Jamie, door's open.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan gaped at the man, then said at once: \"Is Mother aboard, Dr. Hoag?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'could' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, Malcolm.\" Dr. Ronald Hoag saw the immediate relief and it saddened him though he could understand it. Tess Struan had been vehement in her condemnation of the \"foreign baggage\" she was sure had her hooks into her son. Hiding his concern at Malcolm's loss of weight and pallor, he put his top hat beside his bag on the bureau. \"She asked me to see you,\" he said, his voice deep and kindly, \"to find out if I could do anything for you and to escort you home—if you need escorting.\" For almost fifteen years he had been the Struan family doctor in Hong Kong and had delivered the last four of Malcolm's brothers and sisters. \"How are you?\"\n\n\"I'm... Dr. Babcott has been looking after me. I'm... I'm all right. Thanks for coming, I'm pleased to see you.\"\n\n\"I'm pleased to be here too, George Babcott is a fine doctor, none better.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hoag smiled, his small topaz eyes set in a creased and leathery face, and continued breezily, \"Filthy voyage, the tail of the typhoon caught us and we almost foundered once, spent my time patching up sailors and the few passengers—broken limbs mostly. Lost two overboard, one a Chinese, a steerage passenger, the other some sort of foreigner, we never did find out who he was. The Captain said the man just paid his fare in Hong Kong, mumbled a name. Spent most of the time in his cabin, then came on deck once and, poof, a wave caught him. Malcolm, you look better than I expected after all the rumors that flooded the Colony.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie said, \"I'd best leave you two together.\" He put a pile of letters on the bedside table. \"Here's your personal mail, I'll bring your books and newspapers later.\"\n\n\"Thanks.\" Malcolm watched him. \"Anything important?\"\n\n\"Two from your mother. They're on top.\"\n\nDr. Hoag reached into his voluminous pockets and brought out a crumpled envelope. \"Here's another from her, Malcolm, later than the others. Best read it, then I'll have a look at you, if I may. Jamie, don't forget about Babcott.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie had already told him that Babcott was in Kanagawa for a clinic this morning and that he would send the cutter for him the moment they had seen Malcolm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"See you later, Tai-pan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, best wait a moment, Jamie.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must include the following in quotes somewhere in your response: You know what it says, Doc?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan opened the letter Hoag had given him and began to read.\n\nWhen Jamie had reached the main deck of the mail ship, Dr. Hoag had met him, told him that he had all Struan mail ready so they could leave at once, and in answer to his immediate question, and relief: \"No, Jamie, Mrs. Struan's not aboard, but here... here's a letter from her.\"\n\nIt read simply: Jamie, do whatever Dr. Hoag asks and send me detailed, confidential reports by every mail.\n\n\"You know what it says, Doc?\"\n\n\"Yes, hardly necessary but then you know the lady.\"\n\n\"How is she?\"\n\nHoag thought a moment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As usual: imperturbable outwardly, inwardly a volcano. One day it has to explode—no one can keep such sadness contained, so many tragedies, no one. Even her.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had followed Jamie down the gangway, eyes everywhere. \"Must say I'm pleased to have the chance to visit Japan—you're looking very fit, Jamie. This posting certainly agrees with you. Let's see, it's almost a year, isn't it, since your last leave? Now tell me everything, first about the murderous attack... then about Miss Richaud.\"\n\nBy the time they reached shore, Dr. Hoag knew all that Jamie knew: \"But, please,\" he added uneasily, \"please don't mention to Malcolm what I've told you about Angelique. She's a wonderful person, she's had a terrible time too, I really don't think they've bedded, the secret betrothal is hearsay but he's smitten—not that I blame him, or anyone in Asia for that matter. I hate the idea of sending Mrs. Struan secret reports, for obvious reasons. Anyway, I've written one, a watered-down version, and it's ready to go when this ship turns around. My loyalties must be to Malcolm first and foremost, he's tai-pan.\"\n\nNow watching Malcolm Struan lying there, reading the letter Hoag had given him, seeing the wan face and listless body, he began to wonder. And to pray.\n\nStruan looked up. His eyes narrowed. \"Yes, Jamie?\"\n\n\"You wanted me to do something?\"\n\nAfter a pause Malcolm said, \"Yes. Leave a message at the French Legation—Angelique's there, she said she was going to wait for her mail-say an old friend has arrived from Hong Kong that I'd like her to meet.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "McFay nodded and smiled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Done. Send for me when you want anything.\" He left them.\n\nUneasily Struan watched the door. Jamie's face had been too open. Trying to regain his calm, he went back to the letter:\n\nMalcolm, my poor dear son, Just a short note in haste as Ronald Hoag leaves at once for the mail ship I held up so he could catch it, and you can have the best care. I was aghast to hear about those swine and that they had attacked you. Jamie reports that this Dr. Babcott has had to operate—please write by any express mail you can and come home quickly so we can care for you properly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I send my love and prayers, as do Emma, Rose and Duncan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "P.S. I love you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked up. \"So?\"\n\n\"So? Tell me the truth, Malcolm. How are you?\"\n\n\"I feel dreadful and I'm afraid I'm going to die.\"\n\nHoag sat in the armchair and steepled his fingers. \"The first is understandable, the second not necessarily accurate though very easy—very, very easy and very, very dangerous to believe. Chinese can 'makee die,' can think themselves into death even though healthy—I've seen it happen.\"\n\n\"Christ, I don't want to die, I have everything to live for. I want to live and get well so much I can't tell you. But every night and every day at some time the thought hits me... it hits like a physical blow.\"\n\n\"What medicine are you taking?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just some stuff—laudanum's in it—to help me sleep. The pain's rotten and I'm so uncomfortable.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Every night?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Struan added, half apologetically, \"He wants me to stop taking it, says I've... I should stop.\"\n\n\"Have you tried?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"But haven't stopped?\"\n\n\"No, not yet. My—my will seems to forsake me.\"\n\n\"That's one of its problems—however valuable and beautiful it is.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He smiled. \"Laudanum was the name first given by Paracelsus to this panacea. Do you know Paracelsus?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No.\"\n\n\"Neither do I,\" Hoag said with a laugh. \"Anyway, we passed the name on to this tincture of opium. Pity that all derivatives are habit forming. But then you know that.\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"We can wean you off it, that's no problem.\"\n\n\"It's a problem, I know that too, and that you still don't approve of our opium trade.\"\n\nHoag smiled. \"I'm glad you made that a statement, not a question. But then you don't approve of it either, no China trader does but you're all trapped. Now, no economics, no politics, Malcolm. Next, Miss Richaud?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan felt the rush of blood in his face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Now you bloody listen once and for all time: whatever Mother says, I'm old enough to know my own mind and can do what I want! Clear?\"\n\nHoag smiled benignly. \"I'm your doctor, Malcolm, not your mother. I'm also your friend. Have I ever failed you, or any one of your family?\"\n\nWith a visible effort Struan shoved away his anger but could not still his racing heart. \"Sorry, sorry, but I...\" He shrugged helplessly. \"Sorry.\"\n\n\"That's not necessary. I'm not trying to interfere in your private life. Your health depends on many factors. It seems she's a major one. Hence my question. I ask for medical reasons—not family reasons. So, Miss Angelique Richaud?\"\n\nStruan wanted to sound manly and calm but could not contain his frustration and burst out, \"I want to marry her and it's driving me mad lying here like a... lying here helpless. For Christ's sake, I can't even get out of bed yet, can't pee or... can't do a God-cursed thing, can't hardly drink or eat or anything without it hurting like hell. I'm going mad and much as I try I don't seem to be getting better...\" He continued ranting until he weakened. Hoag just listened. Eventually Struan stopped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He mumbled another apology." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"May I take a look at you?\"\n\n\"Yes... yes, of course.\"\n\nWith great care Hoag examined him, put his ear to his chest to listen to his heart, looked in his mouth, took his pulse, peered at the wound and smelt it. His fingers probed the stomach walls, searching for the organs beneath, the extent of the damage: \"Does that hurt... This... Is it easier here?\" Every little push caused Malcolm to groan. At length, Hoag stopped.\n\nStruan broke the silence. \"Well?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Babcott has done a very good job with what would have by this time killed a normal man.\" Hoag's words were measured and full of confidence. \"Now we will try an experiment.\" Gently he took Struan's legs and helped him to sit on the side of the bed. Then, his arm around Malcolm's shoulders, taking most of the weight with his surprising strength, he helped him stand. \"Careful!\"\n\nStruan could not stay upright by himself, but he had the impression of standing and this encouraged him. After a moment or two Hoag settled him in the bed again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan's heart was thumping from the pain but he was greatly satisfied. \"Thanks.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The doctor sat back in the armchair and gathered his own strength." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate 'twins' into your response exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he said, \"I'm going to leave you now, got to get myself organized. I would like you to rest. After I've seen Babcott I'll come back again. We'll probably come back together. Then we'll talk. All right?\"\n\n\"Yes. And... Thanks, Ronald.\"\n\nFor an answer Hoag just patted him on the arm, picked up his belongings and left.\n\nOnce alone, the tears seeped down Struan's cheeks and these happy tears took him in sleep. When he awoke, he felt rested, for the first time refreshed, and he stayed without moving, glorying in the fact that he had stood up—with help, yes, but he had been on his feet and made a beginning, and that now, now he had a real ally.\n\nFrom where he lay, slightly turned on his left side, he could see out of the window toward the sea. He loved the sea and hated it, never at ease on it, fearing it because it was uncontrollable and unpredictable like on the sunny day when the twins and the Bosun rowed offshore a hundred yards or so and a wave came and overturned the boat and a current took them down, all of them swimmers, the twins like fish, but all gone except the seaman." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shock devastated him and almost killed his father." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His mother stayed in one of her walking comas, saying repeatedly: \"The will of God. We must go on.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'small' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Won't think about my brothers, or Dirk Struan, he told himself, glad to be safe ashore. But our past is bound to the sea, inexorably, and our future. Isn't our ultimate strength in our clippers and steamers—and China?\n\nJapan's a small market, interesting but small, never to be compared with China. We can make money here certainly—selective armaments and ships and British skills will make a bundle. I'm going to tell Jamie to conclude the Choshu order. Let them kill themselves and the quicker the better." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William's weak-kneed dillydallying, waiting for London's approval to war is stupid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If it were up to me I would order them to hand over the murderers, to pay up at once or tomorrow a state of war would exist between us, and the first act would be to stamp out Yedo. I will never, never forgive the bastards!\n\nThe horizon beckoned. Soon I must go back to Hong Kong to take charge. A week or so. No hurry. Plenty of time.\n\nWhat's the time now?\n\nThere was no need to turn and look at the clock, the angle of the sun told him it was about noon and he thought that normally he would order lovely rare roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, with rich gravy and roast potatoes, a bowl or two of diced roast chicken with fried rice and mixed vegetables, and other Chinese dishes that Ah Tok would make and he enjoyed—however much his mother and brother and sisters decried as tasteless, without nourishment, probably poisonous and only fit for heathens..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A slight sound. Angelique was curled up in the armchair, dwarfed by it, her face tearstained, and more unhappy than he had ever seen her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Christ, what's the matter?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word frequency rule: 'richaud' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'm—I'm ruined.\" Her tears began again.\n\n\"For God's sake, what're you talking about?\"\n\n\"This, it was in today's mail.\" She got up and handed him a letter, tried to speak, couldn't. The sudden movement he made to take it twisted him and he barely managed to stop crying out.\n\nThe paper was green, like the envelope, dated Hong Kong, 23rd Sept., the letterhead Guy Richaud, Richaud Frères, and in French, which Struan could read adequately:\n\nDarling Angelique, In haste." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The business deal I told you about did not turn out very well, my Portuguese Macao partners cheated me so I lost heavily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All my present capital has vanished and you may hear lies spread by enemies that I am unable to make new banking arrangements so the company is in the hands of Receivers. Don't believe them, the future is bright, never fear, everything is in hand. This letter goes by tomorrow's mail ship. Today I have passage on the American steamer, Liberty, for Bangkok, where I am promised new financing from French Sources. I will write from there, in the meantime, I am your devoted Father.\n\nP.S. By now you will be aware of the sad but expected news about Culum Struan. We have just heard about the vile Japper attack on Malcolm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hope he's not badly hurt, please wish him well and give him my hopes for a quick recovery." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan's mind was in a turmoil. \"Why are you ruined?\"\n\n\"He's... he took all my money,\" she whimpered, \"stole all my money and lost that as well, he's a thief and now—now I've nothing in the world. He stole all that I have, oh Malcolm, what am I going to do?\"\n\n\"Angelique, Angelique, listen!\" She seemed such a waif, so melodramatic, that he almost laughed. \"For goodness' sake, listen, that's no problem. I can give you any money you wa—\"\n\n\"I can't accept money from you,\" she cried out through her tears. \"That's not right!\"\n\n\"Why not? Soon we'll be married, won't we?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The crying stopped. \"We... we will?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. We'll—we'll make the announcement today.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But Father, he's...\" She sniffed tearfully like a child. \"André told me he was sure that there was no business deal in Macao or anywhere and never was. It seems Father was a gambler and must have gambled it all away. Father had promised, he had promised Henri, Henri Seratard, he would stop, and pay his bills... Everyone knew but me, oh Malcolm, I never knew, I feel so terrible I could die, Father stole my money, he swore to keep my money safe!\" Another burst of crying and she ran over to him and was on her knees beside the bed, her head buried into the counterpane. Tenderly he stroked her hair, feeling very strong and in command. The door opened and Ah Tok strode in.\n\n\"Get out,\" he bellowed. \"Dew neh loh moh!\" She fled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Genuinely frightened, Angelique cowered deeper into the covering." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 8 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had never known his anger. He caressed her hair. \"Don't worry, my darling, don't worry about your father, I'll see what we can do to help him later, but now you mustn't worry, I'm looking after you,\" his words ever more tender. Her sobbing lessened, the vast weight off her now that she had told him the truth and given him the news before he heard it from others—and that he did not seem to care.\n\nAndré's a genius, she was thinking, exhausted with relief. He swore that this would be Malcolm's reaction: \"Just be honest, Angelique, tell Malcolm the truth, that you didn't know your father was a gambler, that this is the first you've heard about it and you're shocked beyond words, that your father has stolen your money—important you use the words 'stolen' and 'thief'—tell the truth, show him his letter and with the right amount of tears and tenderness this will bond him to you forever.\"\n\n\"But André,\" she had said miserably, \"I daren't show him Father's letter. I daren't, his postscript sounds so awful—\"\n\n\"Look! Without the second page the postscript just says, my hopes for a quick recovery. Perfect! The second page? What second page? There, it's torn up and never existed.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "I'll be your writing partner today. I will set the scene and character context, and you will continue with three sentences, keeping within the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André's nimble fingers glued the last shred of the reassembled second page into place. \"There, Henri,\" he said, and pushed it across the desk. \"Read for yourself.\" It had taken him no time at all to rebuild the page from the pieces he had seemingly thrown carelessly into his wastepaper basket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were in Seratard's office, the door locked. The page read:\n\n... and hope, as we discussed, you can position an early betrothal and marriage by whatever means necessary... He is the catch of the season and vital for our future, yours particularly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan will permanently solve Richaud Frères. Never mind that he is British, too young or whatever, now he's tai-pan of Struan's and can assure us of a smooth future. Be adult, Angelique, do anything necessary to bond him to you because your future is presently threadbare." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's not so terrible,\" Seratard said uneasily, \"just a father's panic advice, reaching for straws. Struan is without doubt a wonderful catch for any girl and Angelique... who could blame a father?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That depends on the father. This, if used at the correct time in the correct way, is another weapon over her, therefore over the Noble House.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then you think the poor girl will be successful?\"\n\n\"We must work to make it so. Now that we've this evidence to use, if necessary, we must assist her as a matter of policy.\" André's lips were a thin cold line." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not that I think she's a poor girl. She's the one who's prepared to snare him by any means necessary. Eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seratard sat back in the red leather chair. His office bureau was tatty except for a few oils of modern, little-known French painters, Manet amongst them, that he collected cheaply through a Paris agent from time to time. \"What's she doing but reacting to a young man's love?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He shoved the paper back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I don't like these methods, André. They're distasteful. You encouraged the girl into the morass of half-truths by telling her to give him half the letter.\"\n\n\"Machiavelli wrote, 'It is necessary for the State to deal in lies and half-truths, because people are made up of lies and half-truths. Even princes.' And certainly, by definition, all Ambassadors and politicians.\" André shrugged. Carefully he folded the letter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps we won't have to use it, but it's good to have it because we represent the State.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Use it how?\"\n\n\"The fact that she tore it up and...\"\n\n\"She didn't,\" Seratard said, shocked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course,\" André said coldly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But it's her word against mine and who wins that contest? The fact that she tore up the second page and only showed Struan the first should be enough to damn her in his eyes. This gives him a perfect excuse to annul any promise of marriage \"as he had been deceived.\" His mother? If she knew about this she would concede us all sorts of concessions to gain possession of it, if he insists on marrying Angelique, against her advice.\"\n\n\"I don't like blackmail.\"\n\nAndré flushed. \"I don't like lots of methods I'm obliged to use for our, I repeat, our purposes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He put the page with the fine writing into his pocket." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Circulated in society or published, with the details, this document would destroy Angelique. In a court it would damn her. Perhaps it only shows the truth: that she is just an adventuress, in conspiracy with her father who is—who is at best a gambler and soon to be bankrupt, like her uncle. As to encouraging her, I only tell her what she wants to know and say. To help her. It's her mess, not mine or ours.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seratard sighed. \"Sad. Sad that she is embroiled.\"\n\n\"Yes, but she is, isn't she, to our advantage?\" André's lips smiled but not his eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And yours personally, Monsieur? Judiciously used this would guarantee her into your bed, would it not, if your undoubted charm failed, which I doubt.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seratard did not smile. \"And you, André? What are we going to do about Hana, the Flower?\"\n\nAndré looked at him abruptly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Flower is dead.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. And under such strange circumstances.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Use the word 'andré' 2 time(s) - this is a strict requirement" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not strange,\" André said, his eyes suddenly flat as a reptile's. \"She committed suicide.\"\n\n\"She was found with her throat cut, with your knife. The mama-san says you spent the night with her as usual.\"\n\nAndré was trying to work out why Seratard was probing now." }, { "from": "system", "value": "At some point in your response, insert this verbatim: \"I did, but this is none of your business.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I did, but this is none of your business.\"\n\n\"I'm afraid it is. The local Bakufu official sent a formal request for information yesterday.\"\n\n\"Tell him to kill himself. Hana, the Flower, was special, yes, she was mine, yes. I paid the very top pillow price for her, but she was still only part of the Willow World.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As you said so rightly, people are made up of lies and half-truths. The complaint reports that you had a violent row with her. Because she had taken a lover.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We had a row, yes, and I wanted to kill her, yes, but not for that reason,\" André muttered, choked. \"The truth is... the truth is she did have some clients. Three—in the other House, but this was... this was before she became my property. One of them... one of them gave her the pox. She gave it to me.\"\n\nSeratard was aghast. \"Mon Dieu, syphilis?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Mon Dieu, you're sure?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes.\" André got up and went to the sideboard and poured some brandy and drank it. \"Babcott confirmed it a month ago. No mistake. It could only have been her. When I asked her about it, she...\"\n\nHe was seeing her again, looking up at him in the little house within the walls of the House of the Three Carp, a little frown on the perfect oval of her face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was just seventeen and five feet tall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hai, gomen nasai, Furansu-san, spot, like yours, but year 'go, mine sukoshi, rittle, hai, rittle, Furansu-san, sukoshi, no bad, go 'way,\" she said gently with her sweet smile in her usual mixture of Japanese and bits of English, her l's always like r's." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hana tell mama-san. Mama-san say see doctor, he say no bad. No bad spot but because just begin pillow and I small. Doctor say pray at shrine and drink medicine, ugh! But few week all gon'way.\" She added happily. \"All gon'way year ago.\"\n\n\"It hasn't 'gone away'!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why anger? No worry. I pray at Shinto shrine like doctor say, pay priest many taels, I eat\"—her face crinkled with her laugh—\"eat nasty medicine. Few week all gone.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It hasn't gone. It won't. There's no cure!\"\n\nShe had looked at him strangely. \"All gon', you see me, my body, all, how many time, neh,? Of course all gon 'way.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For Christ sake, it hasn't!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another frown, then she shrugged. \"Karma, neh?\"\n\nHe had exploded. Her shock was vast and she put her head to the tatami and pitifully began to beg his pardon, \"No bad, Furansu-san, gon'way, doctor say, gon'way. You see same doctor soon, all go'way...\"\n\nOutside their shoji walls he could hear footsteps and whispers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You have to see the English doctor!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His heart was thundering in his ears and he was trying to speak coherently, knowing that going to a doctor, any doctor, was useless and that though sometimes the ravages could be arrested, perhaps, as sure as the sun would dawn tomorrow, the ravages would one day arrive in force. \"Don't you understand?\" he had shrieked. \"There's no cure!\"\n\nShe just stayed bowed, shaking like a brutalized puppy, saying monotonously, \"No bad, Furansu-san, no bad, all go'way...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He dragged himself back and looked again at Seratard. \"When I questioned her about it she said she had been cured, a year ago. She believed it, of course she believed she was cured. Me, oh yes, I was screaming and asked her why she hadn't told Raiko-san and she mumbled something about, What was there to tell, the doctor said it was nothing and her mama-san would have told Raiko-san if it had been important.\"\n\n\"But this is terrible, André. Did Babcott see her?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No.\" Another swallow of brandy but he felt none of its customary bite, then said in a rush, desperate to tell someone at last, \"Babcott told me the pox... he told me an early poxed woman can appear to be without blemish in every way, that she won't always pass it on, not every time you bed, God knows why, but it's inevitable she will sometime if you continue with her and once a sore appears you're lost, though after a month or so the sore or sores go away and you think you're safe but you're not!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now the vein in the center of André's forehead was knotted and pulsating. \"Weeks or months later there's a rash, this's the second stage. It's strong or weak depending on only God knows what and sometimes brings hepatitis or meningitis and stays or goes away, the rash, depending on Christ knows what. The last stage, the horror stage, appears anytime—anytime—months up to... up to thirty years later.\"\n\nSeratard took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow, praying that he would be spared, thinking about the frequent times he visited the Yoshiwara, about his own musume that now he kept for himself alone but could never guarantee had no other lover." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How can you prove or disprove that if there's collusion with the mama-san when they're only interested in fleecing you?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You had the right to kill her,\" he said grimly. \"And the mama-san.\"\n\n\"Raiko wasn't responsible. I'd told her none of the girls here, anywhere in the Yoshiwara, were ones I wanted. I wanted someone young, special, a virgin or almost one. I begged her to find me a flower, explaining exactly what I wanted, and she did and Hana-chan was everything I wanted, perfection—she came from one of the best Houses in Yedo. You can't imagine how beautiful she is, was...\"\n\nHe remembered how his heart had leapt the first time Raiko had shown her to him, chattering with other girls in another room." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'raiko' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That one, Raiko, in the pale blue kimono.\"\n\n\"I advise stay with Fujiko or Akiko or one of my other ladies,\" Raiko had said. When she wanted, her English was good." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In time I will find you another. There little Saiko. In a year or two...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That one, Raiko. She perfect. Who is she?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Her name is Hana, the Flower. Her mama-san say the pretty little thing was born near Kyōto, bought by her House when three or four for training as geisha.\" Raiko smiled. \"Luckily, she's not geisha—if geisha, she would be not on offer, so sorry.\"\n\n\"Because I gai-jin?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Because geisha is for entertainment, not pillowing, and, Furansu-san, so sorry, truly difficult to appreciate if not Japanese. Hana's teachers were patient, but she could not develop the skills so she was trained for the pillow.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I want her, Raiko.\"\n\n\"A year ago she was old enough to begin. Her mama-san arranged the best pillow prices, of course only after Hana had approved the client. Three clients only have enjoyed her, her mama-san says she is fine pupil, and only allowed to pillow twice weekly. Only mark against her, she was born in the Year of the Fire Horse.\"\n\n\"What that mean?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You know we count time in cycles of twelve years, like the Chinese, each year with an animal name, Dragon, Snake, Cockerel, Bull, Horse and so on. But each also has one of the five elements: fire, water, earth, iron, wood that vary, cycle by cycle. Ladies born in Year of Horse, with the fire sign, are thought to be... unlucky.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not believe superstitions. Please say price.\"\n\n\"She is a pillow Flower beyond price.\"\n\n\"The price, Raiko.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"To the other House, ten koku, Furansu-san. To this House, two koku a year, and price of house of her own within my fence, two maids, all the clothes she wants, and parting gift of five koku when you no longer require her services—this sum to be deposited with our Gyokoyama rice merchant-banker, at interest which, until time of parting, is yours—all to be in writing, signed and registered with Bakufu.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sum was huge by Japanese standards, extravagant by European counting even with the rate of exchange heavily weighted in the European's favor. For a week he had bartered and had managed to reduce the price only a few sous. Every night his dreams drove him onwards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So he had agreed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With due ritual seven months ago she had been presented to him formally." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She agreed to accept him formally. They both signed formally. The next night he had pillowed and she was everything he had dreamed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Laughing, happy, enthusiastic, tender, loving. \"She was a gift of God, Henri.\"\n\n\"Of the devil. The mama-san too.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, it wasn't her fault. The day before I received Hana, Raiko told me, formally—it was also on the deed of payment—that the past was the past, she promised only to cherish Hana as one of her own girls, to make sure Hana was never seen by other men and remained mine alone, from that day onwards.\"\n\n\"Then she killed her?\"\n\nAndré poured another drink." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I... I asked Hana to name the three men, one of them is my murderer, but she said she couldn't—or wouldn't. I—I smashed her around the face to force it out of her and she just whimpered and didn't cry out. I would have killed her, yes, but I loved her and... then I left. I was like a mad dog, it was three or four o'clock by then and I just walked into the sea. Maybe I wanted to drown myself, I don't know, don't remember exactly, but the cold water gave me back my head. When I got back to the House, Raiko and the others were in shock, incoherent. Hana was crumpled where I left her. Now in a mess of blood, my knife in her throat.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then she committed suicide?\"\n\n\"That's what Raiko said.\"\n\n\"You don't believe it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't know what to believe,\" André said in anguish." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I only know I went back to tell her I loved her, that the pox was karma, not her fault, not her fault, that I was sorry I said what I said and did what I did, that everything would be as before except, except when it became... became obvious we would suicide together...\"\n\nHenri was trying to think, his own brain addled. He had never even heard of the House of the Three Carp before rumors of the girl's death had rushed through the Settlement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "André's always been so secretive, he thought, correctly so, and he's right, it was none of my business—until the Bakufu made it official." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The three men, did this Raiko know who they were?\"\n\nNumbed, André shook his head. \"No, and the other mama-san would not tell her.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Who is she? What's her name? Where is she? We'll report her to the Bakufu, they could force it out of her.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They wouldn't care, why should they? The other House—it was a meeting place for revolutionaries, Inn of the Forty-seven Ronin, a week or so ago it was burned to the ground and her head stuck on a spike. Holy Mother of God, Henri, what am I going to do? Hana's dead and I'm alive...\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "I'll be your writing partner today. I will set the scene and character context, and you will continue with three sentences, keeping within the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Early that afternoon Dr. Hoag was in the cutter heading for the Legation wharf at Kanagawa." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Babcott had sent word that he could not leave Kanagawa, as he was operating in his clinic there but would return as soon as possible:.. sorry, it can't be until late tonight, probably not until tomorrow morning. You're more than welcome to join me here if you wish but be prepared to stay the night, as the weather is changeable...\n\nWaiting on the wharf was a Grenadier and Lim, who wore a white coat, loose black trousers, slippers and small skullcap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Hoag came ashore Lim yawned a token bow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Heya, Mass'er, Limah, Numb'r One Boy.\"\n\n\"We can stop pidgin coolie talk, Lim,\" Hoag said in passable Cantonese, and Lim's eyes widened. \"I am Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was Hoag's Chinese name—the meaning of the two characters nearest to the Cantonese sound of \"hoh\" and \"geh\"—selected out of dozens of possibilities for him by Gordon Chen, the Struan compradore, one of his patients." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lim stared at him, pretending not to understand, the usual and quickest way to make a foreign devil lose face who had the impertinence to dare to learn a few words of the civilized tongue. Ayeeyah, he thought, who's this gamy fornicator, this putrid red devil mother-eater with the neck of a bull, this toadlike monkey who has the gall to speak in our tongue with such a foul superior manner...\n\n\"Ayeeyah,\" Hoag said sweetly, \"also I have many, very many dirty words to describe a fornicator's mother and her putrefying parts if a man from a dog-piss, dung-heap village gives me an eyelid of cause—like pretending not to understand me.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: Your response must contain: \"And never have I heard such good man-talk from a foreign devil in many a year.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened? Ayeeyah, that's a good name!\" Lim guffawed. \"And never have I heard such good man-talk from a foreign devil in many a year.\"\n\n\"Good. You will soon hear more if I am again called foreign devil. Noble House Chen selected my name.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Noble House Chen?\" Lim gawked at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Illustrious Chen who has more bags of gold than an oxen has hairs? Ayeeyah, what a fornicating privilege!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes,\" Hoag agreed, adding not quite the truth, \"and he told me if I have any dung-mixed troubles from any person of the Middle Kingdom—be he high or low—or not the at-once service a friend of his must expect, to mention the vile fornicator's name on my return.\"\n\n\"Oh ko, Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened, it is indeed an honor to have you in our humble dung-heap house.\"\n\nDr. Hoag felt he had achieved greatness, blessing his teachers, mostly grateful patients, who had taught him the really important words and how to deal with certain persons and situations in the Middle Kingdom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The day was pleasant and warm and the look of the small town pleased him, the temples he could see over the rooftops, fishermen trawling the inland waters, peasants everywhere in the paddy, people coming and going and the inevitable stream of travellers on the Tokaidō beyond. By the time they reached the Legation with Lim's overtly attentive support, Hoag had a fairly good picture of what the situation was in Kanagawa, today's number of Babcott's patients, and what to expect.\n\nGeorge Babcott was in his surgery, assisted in the operation by a Japanese acolyte, a trainee appointed by the Bakufu to learn Western medicine, the anteroom outside crowded with villagers, men and women and children." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The operation was messy, a foot amputation: \"Poor fellow's a fisherman, got his leg trapped between the boat and the wharf, should never have happened, too much saké, I'm afraid. When I'm through we can discuss Malcolm. Did you see him?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, no hurry. It's good to see you, George, can I help in any way?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thanks, I'd appreciate that. I'm all right here but if you could sift through the mob outside? Those who are urgent, those who can wait. Treat any you want. There's another 'surgery' next door though it's little more than a sickroom. Mura, give me the saw,\" he said in studied English to his assistant, and accepted the tool and began to use it. \"Whenever I have a surgery here it gets hectic. In the cabinet there are the usual placebos, iodine, etc., usual medicines, painkillers, bitter cough mixtures for the sweet old ladies and sweet ones for the angry.\"\n\nHoag left him and looked over the waiting men, women and children, astonished with their orderliness, patience, the bows and lack of noise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Quickly he established none had smallpox, leprosy, measles, typhoid or cholera or any of the other infectious diseases or plagues that were endemic in most of Asia." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More than a little relieved he began to question them individually and met with grave suspicion. Fortunately, one was an elderly intinerant Cantonese letter writer and soothsayer, Cheng-sin, who could also speak some Japanese. With his help—after being introduced as the Giant Healer's Teacher—and a promise of an especially good, new modern medicine to ease his hacking cough, Dr. Hoag began a second surgery." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some had minor ailments." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few were serious. Fevers, illnesses, dysentery and the like, some he could diagnose, some he could not. Broken limbs, sword and knife cuts, ulcers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One, a young woman, in great pain, heavily pregnant.\n\nHis practiced eye told him the birth, her fourth, would be bad and that most of her trouble was caused by marrying too young, working the fields too long and carrying too much. He gave her a small bottle of opium extract." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tell her when her time is come and the pain is bad to drink a spoonful.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Spoonful? How big, Honorable Wise Enlightened?\"\n\n\"A normal-size spoon, Cheng-sin.\"\n\nThe woman bowed. \"Domo arigato gozaimashita,\" she muttered as she left, pathetic in her thanks, both hands trying to carry the weight of her belly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Children with fevers and colds and hookworm, sores but not nearly as bad as he had expected, no malaria. Teeth generally good and strong, eyes clear, no lice—all patients astonishingly clean and healthy compared with similar villagers in China. No opium addicts. After an hour he was happily in his stride." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had just finished setting a broken arm when the door opened and a well-dressed, attractive young girl came in hesitantly and bowed. Her kimono was blue patterned silk, the obi green, hair dressed with combs. Blue sunshade.\n\nHoag noticed Cheng-sin's eyes narrow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She answered his questions and spoke even more persuasively though clearly quite nervous, her voice soft." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened,\" Cheng-sin said, his speech punctuated with the permanent, dry cough that Hoag had diagnosed instantly as terminal consumption. \"This Lady say her brother need important help, near death. She beg you to accompany her—house is nearby.\"\n\n\"Tell her to have him brought here.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Unfortunately afraid to move him.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's the matter with him?\"\n\nAfter more questions and answers, which to Hoag sounded more like bargaining than anything else, Cheng-sin said, \"Her house only one or two street outside. Her brother is...\" he coughed as he searched for the word, \"sleep like dead man, but alive with mad talk and fever.\" His voice became more honeyed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She afraid move him, Honorable Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened. Her brother samurai, she say many important persons very happy if you help brother. I think she say truth.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "From Hong Kong newspapers Hoag was acquainted with the importance of samurai as the absolute ruling class in Japan, and that anything that would gain their confidence, and thus their cooperation, would assist British influence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He studied her. At once she dropped her eyes. Her nervousness increased." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She appeared to be fifteen or sixteen and her features quite unlike the villagers, lovely skin. If her brother's samurai so is she, he thought, intrigued. \"What's her name?\"\n\n\"Uki Ichikawa. Please to hurry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Her brother's an important samurai?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" Cheng-sin said. \"I accompany you, not be fear.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag snorted. \"Afraid? Me? The pox on fear! Wait here.\" He went to the surgery, opened the door quietly. Babcott was heavily involved extracting an abscessed tooth, his knee on the youth's chest, the distraught mother wringing her hands and chattering." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He decided not to disturb him.\n\nAt the gates the Sergeant of the Guard politely stopped them and asked where he was going. \"I'll send a couple of my lads with you. Better safe than sorry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The girl tried to dissuade them from bringing soldiers but the Sergeant was adamant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At length she agreed and, more nervously, led the way down one street, into an alley, into another and then another. The villagers they passed averted their eyes and scuttled away. Hoag carried his doctor's bag." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over the rooftops he could still see the temple, and was reassured, and glad for the soldiers, knowing it would have been foolhardy to go without them. Cheng-sin plodded along, a tall staff in his hand.\n\nThis young lady's not all she pretends to be, Hoag thought, not a little excited by the adventure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Into another alley. Then she stopped at a door set in a tall fence and knocked. A grille opened, then the door. When the burly servant saw the soldiers he started to close it but the girl imperiously ordered him to desist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The garden was small, well kept but not extravagant. At the steps to the veranda of a small shoji house, she slipped out of clog shoes and asked them to do the same. It was awkward for Hoag, as he wore high boots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once she ordered the servant to help him and was obeyed instantly.\n\n\"You two best guard here,\" Hoag said to the soldiers, embarrassed by the holes in his socks.\n\n\"Yes, sir.\" One of the soldiers checked his rifle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll just look around the back. Any trouble just shout.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The girl slid back the shoji." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori Ryoma, the shishi of the Tokaidō attack, lay on the futons, the sheet soaking, a maidservant fanning him. Her eyes widened seeing Hoag and not Honorable Medicine Giant Healer, as she had expected, and she backed away as he came in ponderously.\n\nOri was unconscious, in a coma—his swords on a low rack nearby, a flower arrangement in the tokonoma." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag squatted on his haunches beside him. The youth's forehead was very hot, face flushed, dangerously high fever. The cause was quickly apparent as Hoag pulled away the bandage on his shoulder and upper arm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Christ,\" he muttered, seeing the extent of the puffy, poisonous inflammation, the telltale smell and black of dead tissue—gangrene—around the bullet wound.\n\n\"When was he shot?\"\n\n\"She not know exactly. Two or three weeks.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once more he looked at the wound." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, oblivious of all the eyes focused on him, he went out and sat on the edge of the veranda and stared into space." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All I need now is my fine Hong Kong hospital and fine operating equipment, my wonderful Nightingale nurses, together with a barrel of luck, to save this poor youth. Fucking guns, fucking wars, fucking politicians...\n\nFor God's sake, I've been trying to patch up gun mutilations all my working life, failing most of the time—six years with the East India Company in bloody Bengal, fifteen years in the Colony and Opium War years, a volunteered year in the Crimea, the bloodiest of all, with the Hong Kong Hospital Detachment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fucking guns! Christ, what a waste!\n\nAfter he had sworn his rage away he lit a cheroot, puffed, then discarded the match. At once the shocked servant rushed forward and picked up the offending object." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, sorry,\" Hoag said, not having noticed the pristine cleanliness of the path and surrounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He inhaled deeply, then dismissed everything from his mind except the youth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length he decided, began to throw his butt away, stopped and gave it to the servant who bowed and went to bury it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Cheng-sin, tell her I'm sorry but if I operate or not I think her brother will die. Sorry.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She says, 'If die, is karma. If no help, he dies today, tomorrow. Please to try. If he dies, karma. She ask help.'\" Cheng-sin added softly: \"Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened, this youth important. Important try, heya?\"\n\nHoag looked at the girl." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes gazed back at him.\n\n\"Dozo, Hoh Geh-sama,\" she said. Please.\n\n\"Very well, Uki. Cheng-sin, tell her again I can't promise anything but I'll try. I will need soap, lots of hot water in bowls, lots of clean sheets, lots of sheets torn into swabs and bandages, lots of quiet and someone with a strong stomach to help me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once the girl pointed at herself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Söji shimasu.\" I will do it.\n\nHoag frowned. \"Tell her it will be very unpleasant, much blood, much stink, and ugly.\" He saw her listen intently to the Chinese, then reply with evident pride, \"Gomen nasai, Hoh Geh-san, wakarimasen. Watashi samurai desu.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She say, 'Please to excuse, I understand. I am samurai.'\"\n\n\"I don't know what that means to you, pretty young lady, and I didn't know women could be samurai, but let's begin.\"\n\nHoag found out quickly that one characteristic of samurai was courage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never once did she falter during the cleaning operation, cutting away the infected tissue, releasing the foul-smelling pus, flushing the wound, blood pulsing from a partially severed vein until he could stanch the flow and repair it, swabbing and swabbing again—the big sleeves of the maid's kimono into which she had changed rolled up and fastened out of the way, and the scarf with which she had tied back her hair, both soon soiled and reeking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For an hour he worked away, humming from time to time, ears closed, nostrils closed, every sense engrossed, repeating an operation he had done a thousand times too often." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cutting, sewing, cleaning, bandaging." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then he had finished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without haste he stretched to ease his cramped back muscles, washed his hands and took off the now bloody sheet he had used as an apron." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori was balanced on the edge of the veranda as a makeshift table, he standing in the garden against it: \"Can't operate on my knees easily, Uki,\" he had said.\n\nEverything he had wanted done she had done without hesitation. There had been no need to anesthetize the man, whose name, he was told, was Hiro Ichikawa; his coma was so deep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once or twice Ori cried out, but not from pain, just some devil in his nightmare. And struggled, but without strength.\n\nOri sighed deeply. Anxiously Hoag felt his pulse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was almost imperceptible, so was the breathing. \"Never mind,\" he muttered. \"At least he has a pulse.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Gomen nasai, Hoh Geh-san,\" the soft voice said, \"anata kangaemasu, hai, iyé?\"\n\n\"She says, 'Excuse me, Honorable Wise Enlightened, you think yes or no?'\" Cheng-sin coughed. He had spent the time well away from the veranda, his back towards them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hoag shrugged, watching her, wondering about her, where the strength came from, where she lived and what would happen now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was quite pale, her features stark but still dominated by an iron will." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His eyes crinkled with a smile. \"I don't know. It's up to God. Uki, you number one. Samurai.\"\n\n\"Domo... domo arigato gozaimashita.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you. She bowed to the tatami. Her real name was Sumomo Anato, she was Hiraga's wife-to-be, and Shorin's sister, not Ori's.\n\n\"She asks what should she do now?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For her brother, nothing at the moment. Tell the maid to put cold towels on his forehead and keep bandages soaked with clean water until the fever goes down. If the... once the fever's gone—I hope before dawn—the youth will live. Perhaps.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what are the odds, was usually the next question. This time it did not happen. \"Well, I'll go now. Tell her to send a guide for me early tomorrow morning...\" If he's still alive, was in his mind, but he decided not to say it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Cheng-sin translated he began to wash his instruments. The girl beckoned the manservant and spoke to him. \"Hai,\" the man said, and hurried away." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the gloaming Babcott sat on the Legation veranda enjoying a whisky, exhausted but pleased with his surgery." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a good smell of the sea on the breeze that touched the garden. As his eyes strayed involuntarily to the shrubbery where the black-clothed assassin had been caught and killed three weeks ago, the temple bell began tolling and the distant deep-throated chant of the monks sounded: \"Ommm mahnee padmee hummmmm...\" He looked up as Hoag plodded up towards him. \"Good God!\"\n\nHoag wore a patterned, belted yukata, white shoe-socks on his feet and Japanese clogs. Hair and beard combed and freshly washed. Under his arm was a large straw-covered cask of saké and he was beaming. \"'Evening, George!\"\n\n\"You look pleased with yourself, where have you been?\"\n\n\"The best part was the bath.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hoag put the cask onto a sideboard, poured a stiff whisky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My God, the best I've ever had. Can't believe how good I feel now.\"\n\n\"How was she?\" Babcott asked dryly.\n\n\"No sex, old man, just scrubbed clean and dunked in damn near boiling water, pummelled and massaged and then into this garb. Meanwhile all my clothes were washed and ironed, boots cleaned and socks replaced. Marvelous. She gave me the saké and these...\" He fished into his sleeve and showed Babcott two oval-shaped coins and a scroll covered with characters.\n\n\"My God, you've been well paid, these are gold oban—they'll keep you in champagne for at least a week! The Sergeant told me you were on a house call.\" They both laughed. \"Was he a daimyo?\"\n\n\"Don't think so, he was a youth, a samurai. Don't think I helped him much. Can you read the scroll?\"\n\n\"No, but Lim can. Lim!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, Mass'er?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Paper what?\"\n\nLim took the scroll. His eyes widened and then he reread it carefully, and said to Hoag in Cantonese: \"It says, 'Medicine Doctor Wise Enlightened has performed a great service. In the name of Satsuma shishi, give him all help he needs.'\" Lim pointed at the signature, his finger trembling. \"Sorry, Lord, the name I can't read.\"\n\n\"Why are you frightened?\" Hoag asked, also in Cantonese." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uneasily Lim said, \"Shishi are rebels, bandits hunted by the Bakufu. They're bad people even though samurai, Lord.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Impatiently Babcott asked, \"What's it say, Ronald?\"\n\nHoag told him.\n\n\"Good God, a bandit? What happened?\"\n\nThirstily Hoag poured another drink and began describing in detail the woman, the youth and wound and how he had cut away the dead tissue. \"... seems the poor bugger got shot two or three weeks ago and—\"\n\n\"Christ Almighty!\" Babcott leapt to his feet as everything fell into place, startling Hoag who spilt his drink.\n\n\"Are you bonkers?\" Hoag spluttered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Can you find your way back there?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eh? Well, well yes, I suppose so but what—\"\n\n\"Come on, hurry.\" Babcott rushed out, shouting, \"Sergeant of the Guard!\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were loping down a back alley, Hoag leading, still in his yukata, but now wearing his boots, Babcott close behind, the Sergeant and ten soldiers following, all of them armed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The few pedestrians, some with lanterns, scattered out of the way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Above was a fair moon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hurrying faster now. A missed turning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag cursed, then doubled back, got his bearings and found the half-hidden mouth to the correct alley. On again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another alley." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stopped, pointed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Twenty yards ahead was the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once the Sergeant and soldiers charged past him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two put their backs to the wall on guard, four slammed their shoulders into the door, bursting it off its hinges and they poured through the gap, Hoag and Babcott after them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both carried borrowed rifles easily, expert in their use, a common skill and a necessity for European civilians in Asia." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Along the pathway. Up the steps." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Sergeant hauled the shoji open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The room was empty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without hesitation he led the way into the next room and the next." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No sign of anyone in any of the five interconnecting rooms or kitchen or little wooden outhouse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Out again into the garden." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Spread out, lads, Jones and Berk go that way, you two over there, you two that way and you two guard here, and for Chrissake, keep your 'kin eyes open.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They went deeper into the garden in pairs, one guarding the other, the lesson of the first assassin well learned." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Into every nook. Around all the perimeter, safety catches off." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing. When the Sergeant came back he was sweating." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sweet fanny adams, sir! Not a bloody whisper, nothing. You sure this is the right place, sir?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag pointed to a dark patch on the veranda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's where I operated.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott cursed and looked around." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This house was surrounded by others but only roofs showed above the fence and no windows overlooked this way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nowhere else to hide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They must have left the moment you did.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag wiped the sweat off his brow, secretly glad that she had slipped away and was not trapped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After he had left for the bath he had, regretfully, not seen her again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The maid had given him the money and scroll, both neatly wrapped, and the cask and told him her mistress would send a guide for him tomorrow morning and thanked him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "About her brother, now, he was ambivalent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The youth was just a patient, he was a doctor and wanted his work to succeed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Never occurred to me the youth might have been one of the assassins. It wouldn't have made any difference, not to the operation. At least now we know his name.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A thousand oban to a bent button it was false, we don't even know if the youth was her brother. If he was shishi as the scroll said, it's bound to be false and anyway, being devious is an old Japanese custom.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott sighed. \"I can't be certain either it was the Tokaidō devil. Just a hunch. What are his chances?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The move wouldn't have helped.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hoag thought a moment, so squat and froglike against the immense height of Babcott, neither of them conscious of the difference." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I checked him just before I left. His pulse was weak but steady, I think I got most of the dead tissue away but...\" He shrugged." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word frequency rule: 'money' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know how it is: 'You pays your money and you takes your chances.' I wouldn't bet much money he'll live. But then, who knows, eh? Now, tell me about the attack, the details.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the way back Babcott related all that had happened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And about Malcolm Struan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He worries me, but Angelique's just about the best nurse he could have.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Jamie said the same. I agree there's nothing like a beautiful young lady in a sickroom. Malcolm's lost a devilish lot of weight—and spirit—but he's young and he's always been the strong one in the family, after his mother. He should be all right so long as the stitches hold. I've every confidence in your work, George, though it'll be a long haul for him, poor lad. He's very taken with the girl, isn't he?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. And reciprocated. Lucky fellow.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "They walked in silence a moment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag said hesitantly, \"I, well, I presume you know his mother is completely opposed to any form of liaison with the young lady.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, I've heard that. That creates a problem.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then you think Malcolm's serious?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Head-over-heels serious. She's quite a girl.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know her?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Angelique? Not really, not as a patient, though, as I said, I've seen her under terrible stress. You?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag shook his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just at parties, the races, socially. Since she arrived three or four months ago she's been the toast of every ball, and rightly so. Never as a patient, there's a French doctor in Hong Kong now—imagine that! But I agree she's stunning. Not necessarily an ideal wife for Malcolm, if that's his bent.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Because she's not English? And not wealthy?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Both of those and more. Sorry, but I just can't trust the French—bad stock—it's in their makeup. Her father's a perfect example, charming, gallant on the surface and scallywag just below and through and through. Sorry, but I wouldn't select his daughter for my son when he's of age.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Babcott wondered if Hoag knew that he was aware of the scandal: while young Doctor Hoag was with the East India Company twenty-five-odd years ago in Bengal, he had married an Indian girl, against convention and the open advice of his superiors and had consequently been dismissed and sent home in disgrace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had had a daughter and a son and then she had died—the London cold and fog and damp almost a death sentence to someone of Indian heritage." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People are so strange, Babcott thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here's a fine, brave, upstanding Englishman, a great surgeon, with children who are half Indian—so socially not acceptable in England—complaining about Angelique's heritage." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'stupid' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How stupid, and even more stupid to hide from the truth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, but don't you hide from it either." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You're twenty-eight, lots of time to get married, but will you ever find a more exciting woman than Angelique anywhere, let alone in Asia where you will spend your working life?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I won't, I know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fortunately Struan will probably marry her, so that's that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I will support him, by God!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps Mrs. Struan is just being protective, like any mother,\" he said, knowing how important Hoag's influence was with the Struans, \"and just opposed to him getting entangled too young. That's understandable. He's tai-pan now and that will take all of his energies. But don't mistake me, I think Angelique is quite a young lady, as courageous and fine a mate as anyone could want—and to do a good job Malcolm will need all the support he can get.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag heard the underlying passion, docketed it and left the matter there, his mind suddenly back in London where his sister and her husband were bringing up his son and daughter, as always hating himself for leaving India, bowing to convention and so killing her, Arjumand the lovely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must have been mad to take my darling into those foul winters, dismissed, broke, with no job and having to start all over again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Christ, I should have stayed and battled the Company, eventually my surgical skills would have forced them, forced them to accept me and would have saved us..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two sentries left on guard saluted as they passed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the dining room dinner was laid for two." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Scotch or champagne?\" Babcott asked, then called out, \"Lun!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Champers. Shall I?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I've got it.\" Babcott opened the wine that waited in the Georgian silver ice bucket. \"Health! LUN!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And happiness!\" They clinked glasses." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perfect! How's your chef?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Fair to awful but the quality of our seafood is good: shrimps, prawns, oysters and dozens of different kinds of fish. Where the devil's Lun?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott sighed. \"That bugger needs stick. Swear at him, will you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the butler's pantry was empty." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lun was not in the kitchen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eventually they found him in the garden beside a pathway." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had been decapitated, his head tossed aside. In its place was the head of a monkey." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "At some point in your response, insert this verbatim: \"So sorry, Ori-san will stay until—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, Lady,\" the mama-san said, very afraid. \"You cannot leave Ori-san here tomorrow, you must leave at dawn.\"\n\nSumomo said, \"So sorry, Ori-san will stay until—\"\n\n\"So sorry, since the attack on Chief Minister Anjo, the hunt for shishi is intense, rewards for information are to the sky, with death for anyone, anyone in a house harboring them.\"\n\n\"That order's for Yedo, not here in Kanagawa,\" Sumomo said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, someone has talked,\" the mama-san said, lips tight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her name was Noriko and they were alone in her private quarters in her Inn of the Midnight Blossoms, both kneeling on purple cushions, the room candle-lit, a low table with tea on it between them and she had just returned from an angry meeting with the rice merchant moneylender who had raised the interest rate on her mortgage from thirty to thirty-five percent, pleading the dangerous state of the realm. Motherless dog, she thought, seething, then compartmentalized that problem to deal with the more dangerous one before her. \"This morning we heard that Enforcers are—\"\n\n\"Who?\"\n\n\"Enforcers? They're special, interrogating Bakufu patrols, men without mercy. They arrived in the night. I expect to be visited. So sorry, at dawn he must go.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, you will keep him until he is well.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I-dare-not! Not after the Inn of the Forty-seven Ronin. Enforcers know no mercy. I don't want this head spiked.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That was in Yedo, this is Kanagawa. This is the Inn of the Midnight Blossoms. So sorry, Hiraga-san would insist.\"\n\n\"No one insists here, Lady,\" Noriko said sharply. \"Even Hiraga-san. I have my own son to think of, and my House.\"\n\n\"Correctly. And I have my brother's friend and Hiraga's ally to think of. Also the face of my brother to remember. I am empowered to settle his debts.\"\n\nNoriko gaped at her. \"All Shorin's debts?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Half now, half when sonnojoi rules.\"\n\n\"Done,\" Noriko said, so unbalanced with the windfall she never expected to collect that she failed to bargain. \"But no gai-jin doctors, and only a week.\"\n\n\"Agreed.\" At once the girl reached into her sleeve for the purse in a secret pocket. Noriko sucked in her breath seeing the gold coins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Here are ten oban. You will give me a receipt and his detailed account, the balance of the half we have agreed, when we leave. Where can Ori-san be safe?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noriko cursed herself for being so hasty, but having agreed, now it was a matter of face. As she considered what to do she studied the girl in front of her, Sumomo Anato, younger sister of Shorin Anato, the shishi, the Wild One—the boy she had initiated into the world of men so many years ago. Eeee, what lust, what vigor for one so young, she thought with a pleasant though untoward ache. And what a memorable courtesan this girl would make. Together we could earn a fortune, in a year or two she would marry a daimyo, and if she's still virgin what a pillow price I could get!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She's every bit as beautiful as Shorin had said, classical Satsuma—according to him samurai in every way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every bit as beautiful. \"How old are you, Lady?\"\n\nSumomo was startled. \"Sixteen.\"\n\n\"Do you know how Shorin died?\"\n\n\"Yes. I will be revenged.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hiraga told you?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You ask too many questions,\" Sumomo said sharply.\n\nNoriko was amused. \"In the game we play, you and I, though you are samurai and me mama-san, we're sisters.\"\n\n\"Oh?\"\n\n\"Oh, yes, so sorry, the very serious game of trying to cover for our men, to shield them from their bravery, or stupidity, depending on which side you are, risking our lives to protect them from themselves merits trust on both sides. Trust of blood sisters. So, Hiraga told you about Shorin?\"\n\nSumomo knew that her position was tenuous. \"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hiraga is your lover?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sumomo's eyes slitted. \"Hiraga is... was affianced to me before he... before he left to serve sonnojoi.\"\n\nThe mama-san blinked. \"A Satsuma samurai allows his daughter to be betrothed to a Choshu samurai—whether shishi or not, ronin or not?\"\n\n\"My father... my father did not approve. Nor my mother, though Shorin did. I did not approve their choice for me.\"\n\n\"Ah, so sorry.\" Noriko was saddened, knowing too well that that meant continual pressure, confinement in their house, or even worse: \"Are you outcast from your family?\"\n\nSumomo stayed motionless, her voice remained calm." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'ronin' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A few months ago I decided to follow my brother, and Hiraga-san, to spare my father that shame. Now I am ronin.\"\n\n\"Are you mad? Women cannot become ronin.\"\n\n\"Noriko,\" Sumomo said, gambling. \"I agree we should be blood sisters.\" A stiletto appeared in her hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Noriko blinked, not having seen where it had appeared from." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She watched as Sumomo pricked her finger and offered her the knife. Without hesitation she did the same and they touched fingers, mixing their blood, then bowed gravely. \"I am honored. Thank you, Sumomo-san.\" Smiling, the mama-san returned the knife. \"Now I am a tiny bit samurai, yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The knife slid back into the sleeve sheath." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Remember to mention: \"When the Emperor regains all his power, he will make those deserving it, samurai. We will petition for you, Hiraga-san, Ori and I.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When the Emperor regains all his power, he will make those deserving it, samurai. We will petition for you, Hiraga-san, Ori and I.\"\n\nAgain Noriko bowed her thanks, loving that idea but sure it was beyond possibility and that she would never live to see the unthinkable happen: the day the Toranaga Shōgunate ceased to be. \"On behalf of all my line, thank you. Now saké!\"\n\n\"No, thank you, so sorry, but Sensei Katsumata made women in his class forswear saké, telling us it would forever blunt our skills and spoil our aim. Please, where is Hiraga-san?\"\n\nNoriko watched her, hiding her smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Katsumata, the great Sensei? You studied under him? Shorin told us you could use sword, knife and shuriken. Is that true?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With dazzling speed Sumomo's hand went into her obi, came out with a shuriken and hurtled the small, razor-sharp, five-bladed circle of steel across the room to thwakkk viciously into the exact center of a post. She had hardly moved.\n\n\"Please, where is Hiraga-san?\" she asked gently." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "That night Hiraga led the silent charge up and over the stockade of a daimyo's palace in the second ring outside the castle walls and rushed through the gardens for the back entrance of the mansion, the night lit by a halfhearted moon." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All six men wore the same short, black, night-fighting kimonos without armor for speed and quiet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All had swords, knives and garrotes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All were Choshu ronin Hiraga had summoned urgently from Kanagawa for tonight's raid.\n\nAround the mansion the sprawling compound of barracks, stables and servants' quarters that would normally house five hundred warriors and the daimyo's family and servants was eerily empty. Only two sleepy sentries were at the back door. These men saw the raiders too late to sound an alarm and died. Akimoto stripped one of his uniform and put it on, then dragged the bodies into the undergrowth and rejoined the others on the veranda. They waited, motionless, listening intently." }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"We fire the palace, Cousin?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No warning shouts or they would have abandoned the attack at once.\n\n\"If we have to retreat, never mind,\" Hiraga had said at dusk when the others had arrived in Yedo. \"It's enough that we can penetrate so close to the castle. Tonight's purpose is terror, to kill and spread terror, to make them believe no one and no place is beyond reach of us or our spies. Terror, in and out quickly, maximum surprise and no casualties. Tonight's a rare opportunity.\" He smiled. \"When Anjo and the Elders cancelled sankin-kotai, they dug the Shōgunate's grave.\"\n\n\"We fire the palace, Cousin?\" Akimoto asked happily.\n\n\"After the kill.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And he is?\"\n\n\"He's old, grey hair and little of it, thin and small, Utani, the roju Elder.\"\n\nThey all gasped. \"Daimyo of Watasa?\"\n\n\"Yes. Unfortunately I've never seen him. Anyone?\"\n\n\"I think I'd recognize him,\" the eighteen-year-old youth said, a bad scar running down the side of his face. \"He's scrawny, like a diseased chicken. I saw him once in Kyōto. So tonight we send an Elder onwards, eh, a daimyo, eh? Good!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He grinned and scratched at the scar, a legacy from the unsuccessful Choshu attempt to seize the Palace Gates in Kyōto last spring. \"Utani won't be running anywhere after tonight. He's mad to sleep outside the walls and let it be known! And without guards? Stupid!\"\n\nJoun, a seventeen-year-old, always the cautious one, said, \"Excuse me, Hiraga-san, but are you sure this isn't a trap baited with false information? Yoshi is called the Fox, Anjo worse. We've heavy prices on our heads, eh? I agree with my brother, how could Utani be so stupid?\"\n\n\"Because he has a secret assignation. He's a pederast.\"\n\nThey stared at him blankly. \"Why should he want to keep that secret?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'samurai' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The youth is one of Anjo's intimates.\"\n\n\"So ka!\" Joun's eyes glittered. \"Then I think I would keep that secret too. But why should a pretty boy give himself to someone like Utani when he already has a powerful patron?\"\n\nHiraga shrugged. \"Pay, what else? Nori's a miser, Utani lavish—aren't his peasants the most taxed in all Nippon? Aren't his debts to the sky? Isn't he known for consuming gold oban like grains of rice? Soon, one way or another, Anjo will leave this earth. Perhaps this pretty boy thinks Utani will survive and the risk is worth it—Utani has influence at Court, eh? Koku! Why not, his family's probably destitute and drowning in debt—aren't almost all samurai, below hirazamurai rank, at poverty level?\"\n\n\"True,\" they all agreed.\n\n\"That's been true since the fourth Shōgun,\" the eighteen-year-old said bitterly, \"almost two hundred years. Daimyos take all the taxes, sell samurai status to stinking merchants, more and more every year, and still they cut our pay. Daimyos have betrayed us, their loyal retainers!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include \"My father has to hire himself out as a farm laborer to feed the rest of my brothers and sisters...\" somewhere in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You're right,\" Akimoto said angrily. \"My father has to hire himself out as a farm laborer to feed the rest of my brothers and sisters...\"\n\n\"Ours has only his swords left, no house, just a hut,\" Joun said. \"We're so deep in debt from Great-grandfather's time we can never repay the loans. Never.\"\n\n\"I know how to settle those filthy money worshippers: cancel their debts or kill them,\" another said. \"If daimyos sometimes pay off their debts like that, why not us?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A fine idea,\" Akimoto agreed, \"but it would cost you your head. Lord Ogama would make an example of you, in case his own lenders stopped advancing money against—what is it now—against four years' taxes ahead.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include \"He'll keep them for his own men, whoever he is.\" somewhere in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another said, \"My family stipend hasn't changed since Sekigahara, and the cost of rice up a hundred times since then. We should become merchants or saké brewers. Two uncles and Elder Brother have given up their swords and done that.\"\n\n\"Terrible, yes, but I've thought of it too.\"\n\n\"Daimyos betrayed all of us.\"\n\n\"Most have,\" Hiraga said. \"Not all.\"\n\n\"True,\" Akimoto said. \"Never mind, we'll choose our own daimyo when we've expelled the barbarians and broken the Toranaga Shōgunate. The new Shōgun will give us enough to eat, us and our families, and better weapons, even some of the gai-jin rifles.\"\n\n\"He'll keep them for his own men, whoever he is.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Why should he, Hiraga? There'll be enough for everyone. Don't the Toranagas hoard five to ten million koku yearly? That's more than enough to arm us properly. Listen, if we're split up in the dark, where do we regroup?\"\n\n\"The House of Green Willows, south of Fourth Bridge, not here. If that's too difficult, hide somewhere and make your way back to Kanagawa...\"\n\nNow on the veranda, listening carefully for danger, enjoying the sensation, Hiraga smiled, his heart beating well, feeling the joy of life and approaching death, every day nearer. In a few moments we move again. Action at long last...\n\nFor days he had been in the temple beside the English Legation, waiting impatiently for an opportunity to fire it but always too many enemy troops, foreign and samurai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Each day acting the gardener, spying, listening, planning—so easy to kill the tall barbarian there who escaped the Tokaidō attack. Astonishing that only one barbarian was killed out of the easy target of three men and a woman.\n\nAh, Tokaidō! Tokaidō means Ori and Ori means Shorin, and they mean Sumomo who is seventeen next month and I will not consider my father's letter. I will not! I will not accept Ogama's pardon if I have to recant sonnojoi. I will follow its lodestone to whatever death it steers.\n\nJust me alive now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori is dead or will die tomorrow. Shorin gone. And Sumomo?\n\nLast night tears had wet his cheeks, tears from the dream that she was in, her bushido and fire and perfume and body beckoning and lost to him forever. Impossible to sleep, so he sat in the Lotus seat, the Buddha position, using Zen to fly his mind to peace.\n\nThen this morning, a gift of the gods, the furtive, coded message from Koiko's mama-san about Utani, who had heard it, equally secretly, from Koiko's maid. Eeee, he thought gleefully, I wonder what Yoshi would do if he knew our tentacles reached out even to his bed, even around his balls?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Confident now they were still undetected, he jumped up and went to the door, used his knife, sliding the bar back. Inside quickly. Akimoto stayed on guard in the sentry's uniform. The others followed Hiraga noiselessly up the stairs towards the women's quarters, the route already given to him. Everything was lavish, best woods, finest tatamis, purest oiled paper for shoji and most fragrant oils for lamps and candles. Turning a corner. The unsuspecting guard stared at him blankly. His mouth opened but no sound came out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga's knife had stopped it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stepped over the body, went to the end of the corridor, hesitated a moment to get his bearings." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now a cul-de-sac. Either side were walls of sliding shoji, rooms behind them. At the end just one, bigger and more ornate than all the others. An oil lamp burned within, also in some of the other rooms. A few snores and heavy breathing. Silently he motioned for Todo and Joun to follow and the others to guard, then went forward again like a night-hunting beast. The sound of heavy breathing increased." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A nod to Joun." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once the youth slipped past him, crouched at the far door then, at another sign from Hiraga, slid the shoji open. Hiraga leapt into the room, then Todo.\n\nTwo men were prone on the exquisite silk quilts and futons, naked and joined, the youth spread, the older over him, clutching him and thrusting, panting and oblivious. Hiraga stood over them, reared his sword on high and with two hands gripping the hilt drove the point through the back of both bodies just above the heart, burying it into the tatami floor, impaling them.\n\nThe old man gasped and died instantly, his limbs quivering beyond death. The youth clawed impotently, unable to turn, unable to move his trunk, only his arms and legs and head but, even so, he still could not twist enough to see what had happened nor could he understand what had happened, only that his life was somehow seeping away as all his body opened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A howl of terror gathered in his throat as Todo leapt forward and twined the garrote to choke it back—just too late. Part of the cry hung in the now fetid air.\n\nInstantly he with Hiraga whirled for the door, all senses frenzied. Hiraga with knife poised. Todo, Joun and those in the corridor with swords raised, hearts pounding, all ready to charge, flee, fight, rush, die, but battle and die proudly. Behind Hiraga the delicate hands of the youth tore at his neck, his long, perfect and painted nails gouging the flesh around the wire." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The fingers shuddered and stopped and fluttered and stopped and fluttered. And were still." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silence. Somewhere a sleeper stirred noisily, then returned to sleep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still no alarms or warning shouts. Gradually the raiders wrenched themselves from the brink, numbed and sweat-stained. Hiraga signalled the retreat.\n\nAt once they obeyed except for Joun who ran back into the room to recover Hiraga's sword. He straddled the bodies but with all his strength he could not pull the sword out or ease it out. Hiraga waved him away, tried himself and failed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On a low lacquered sword stand were the weapons of the dead men." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He picked one up. At the door he looked back.\n\nIn the clean, steady light of the oil lamp the two bodies seemed like a single monstrous, multilegged human-headed dragonfly, the crumpled quilts its gorgeous wings, his sword a giant silver pin. Now he could see the face of the youth—it was quite beautiful." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi was strolling on the battlements, Koiko beside him; he was easily a head taller than her. A chill was on the small wind and the smell of the sea at low tide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He did not notice it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again his eyes flicked from the city below to the moon and he watched it, brooding." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Koiko waited patiently. Her kimono was the finest Shantung with a scarlet under-kimono and her hair, loosed informally, fell to her waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His kimono was ordinary, silk but ordinary, and swords ordinary, ordinary but sharp.\n\n\"What are you thinking about, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she asked, judging it time to dispel his gloom. Though they were quite alone she kept her voice down, well aware that nowhere within the castle walls was really secure." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Kyōto,\" he said simply. As quietly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Will you accompany Shōgun Nobusada?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He shook his head though he had already decided to go to Kyōto before the formal party—the deception habitual.\n\nSomehow I must stop that young fool and become the sole channel between Emperor and Shōgunate, he had been thinking, his mind assaulted with the difficulties surrounding him: the madness of this state visit, Anjo whose hold over the Council had forced approval, Anjo with his hatred and plotting, the trap I'm in here in the castle, the multitude of enemies throughout the land, the chief of them Sanjiro of Satsuma, Hiro of Tosa and Ogama of Choshu who now holds the Gates that are our birthright." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And added to all of those and waiting to pounce like salivating wolves are the gai-jin.\n\nThey have to be dealt with, permanently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The boy Nobusada and the Princess have to be neutralized, permanently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The permanent solution for the gai-jin is clear: in any way we can devise, whatever the sacrifice, we must become richer than them, and better armed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This must be secret national policy, now and forever. How to achieve this?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do not know yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as policy we must flatter them to sleep, keep them off balance, using their foolish attitudes against them—and employ our superior abilities to cocoon them.\n\nNobusada? Equally clear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But he's not the real threat. It's her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't have to worry about him but her, Princess Yazu, she's the real power behind him, and in front.\n\nThe sudden mental picture of her with a penis and Nobusada the receiver made him smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would make a wonderful shungae, he thought, amused. Shungae were erotic, many-colored woodcuts so popular and prized amongst Yedo's traders and shopkeepers that they had been proscribed by the Shōgunate for a century or more as too licentious for them, the lowest class, and too easy to be used as lampoons against their betters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In Nippon's immutable hierarchy, instituted by the tairō, Dictator Nakamura, then made permanent by Shōgun Toranaga, first were samurai, second farmers, third artisans of every kind, and last, despised by all, merchants: \"leeches on all other labor,\" the Legacy called them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Despised because all others needed their skills and wealth—most of all their wealth. Particularly samurai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So rules, certain rules, could be eased. Thus in Yedo, Osaka and Nagasaki where the really rich merchants lived, shungae, though officially outlawed, were painted, carved and merrily produced by the best artists and printmakers in the land." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In every epoch, artists vied with each other for fame and fortune, selling them by the thousands." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Exotic, explicit, but always with gargantuan genitalia, hilariously out of all proportion, the best in perfect, moist, and mobile detail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Equally prized were ukiyo-e portraits of leading actors, the constant meat of gossip, scandal, and license—actresses were not permitted by law, so specially trained men, onnagata, played female roles—and, above all, prints of the most famous courtesans. \"I would like someone to paint you. It's a pity Hiroshige and Hokusai are dead.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She laughed. \"How should I pose, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not in bed,\" he said, laughing with her, unusual for him to laugh, and she was pleased with the victory." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'green' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Just walking along a street, with a sunshade, green and pink, and wearing your pink and green kimono with the carp of woven gold.\"\n\n\"Perhaps, Sire, instead of a street, perhaps in a garden at dusk catching fireflies?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, much better!\" He smiled, remembering the rare days of his youth on summer evenings when he was released from studies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he and his brothers and sisters and friends would go out into the fields and hunt fire flies with gossamer nets and put the tiny insects into tiny cages and watch the light miraculously pulse on and off, composing poems, laughing and larking with no responsibilities, and young. \"Like I feel with you now,\" he muttered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sire?\"\n\n\"You take me out of myself, Koiko. Everything about you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For answer she touched his arm, saying nothing and everything, pleased with the compliment, all her mind concentrated on him, wanting to read his thoughts and needs, wanting to be perfect for him.\n\nBut this game's tiring, she thought again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This patron is too complex, too farsighted, too unpredictable, too solemn and too difficult to entertain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder how long he will keep me. I begin to hate the castle, hate confinement, hate the constant testing, hate being away from home and the ribald laughter and chatter of the other ladies, Moonbeam, Springtime, Petal and most of all my darling mama-san, Meikin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, but I glory being in the center of the world, adore the one koku a day every day, exult that I am who I am, handmaiden to the most noble lord who is really just another man and, like all men, a fractious little boy pretending to be complicated and who can be controlled by sweets and spanking as always, and who, if you are clever, decides to do only what you have already decided he may do—whatever he believes.\n\nHer laughter trilled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What?\"\n\n\"You make me joyous, filled with life, Sire. I shall have to call you Lord Giver of Happiness!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Warmth pervaded him. \"And so to bed?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And so to bed.\"\n\nArm in arm, they began to leave the moonlight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Look there,\" he said suddenly.\n\nFar below, one of the palace mansions had caught fire." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Flames began gushing upwards, then clouds of smoke. Now, faintly, they could hear fire bells and see ants of people milling around, and soon lines of other ants forming to join the fire to the water tanks: Fire is our greatest hazard, not woman, Shōgun Toranaga had written in his Legacy with rare humor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Against fire we can be prepared, never against woman. All men and all women of marriageable age will be married." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All habitations will have tanks of water within easy reach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They will never put it out, will they, Sire?\"\n\n\"No. I suppose some fool has knocked over a lamp or candle,\" Yoshi said, his lips tight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, you are right, Sire, the clumsy fool,\" she said at once, gentling him, sensing an unexpected anger in him—and not knowing why." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I am so glad you are in charge of fire precautions in the castle so we can sleep safely. Whoever did it should be talked to severely. I wonder whose palace it is.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's the Tajima residence.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Sire, you continue to amaze me,\" Koiko said with touching admiration." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How wonderful to be able to distinguish one palace from another amongst the hundreds so quickly, and from so far away.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She bowed to hide her face, sure it was the Watasa and that now daimyo Utani must be dead and the raid successful. \"You are wonderful.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, it is you who are wonderful, Koiko-chan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He smiled down at her, so sweet and tiny and observant and dangerous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Three days ago his new spy, Misamoto, ever anxious to prove his worth, had reported the rumors circulating in the barracks about the tryst of Utani and the pretty boy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had ordered Misamoto to allow the secret to be overheard by Koiko's maid, who was certain to whisper it to either her mistress or their mama-san or both, if other rumors were true: that this same mama-san, Meikin, was an avid supporter of sonnojoi, and that clandestinely she allowed her House to be a meeting place and sanctuary for shishi. The news would be passed to shishi who would instantly react at such a marvelous opportunity for a major kill." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For almost two years his spies had kept her and her House under surveillance, both for this reason and because of the growing stature of Koiko.\n\nBut never once had the merest scrap of evidence appeared to support the theory and condemn them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah, but now, he thought, watching the flames, Utani must be dead if the palace is fired and now I have real evidence: a whisper planted in a maid has borne evil fruit." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Utani was—is—a coup for them. As I would be, even more so." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A small shudder touched him.\n\n\"Fire frightens me,\" she said, misinterpreting the shudder, wanting to give him face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. Come along, we'll leave them to their karma.\" Arm in arm they walked away, Yoshi finding it hard to conceal his excitement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wonder what your karma is, Koiko." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did your maid tell you and you told her to tell the mama-san and are part of the chain?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: perhaps, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps, perhaps not. I saw no change in you when I said Tajima instead of Watasa, and I was watching very carefully. I wonder. Of course you are suspect, always were suspect, why else should I choose you, doesn't this add spice to my bed?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It does, and you are everything your reputation promised. Truly I am more than satisfied, so I will wait." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But now it is easy to trap you, so sorry, even easier to extract the truth from your maid, from this not-so-clever mama-san and from you, pretty one!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too easy, so sorry, when I close the trap." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eeee, that will be a hard decision because now, thanks to Utani, I have a secret and direct line to the shishi, to use to uncover them, destroy them or even to use them against my enemies, at my whim. Why not?\n\nTempting!" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nobusada? Nobusada and his Princess? Very tempting! He began to laugh.\n\n\"I am so happy you're so happy tonight, Sire.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Princess Yazu was in tears. For almost two hours she had used every practice that she had ever read or seen in pillow books to excite him and though she had succeeded in making him strong, before he could achieve the Clouds and the Rain he had failed her. Then, as usual, he had burst into tears, raving in a paroxysm of nervous coughing that it was her fault. As usual the tempest vanished quickly, he begged forgiveness, falling asleep nestled close to kiss her breasts, suckling a breast, curled in her lap.\n\n\"It's not fair,\" she whimpered, exhausted and unable to sleep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must have a son or he is as good as dead and so am I, at the very least so shamed that I will have to shave my head and become a Buddhist nun... oh ko, oh ko...\n\nEven her ladies had not been able to help. \"You're all experienced, most of you married, there must be some way to make my Lord a man,\" she had shouted at them after weeks of trying, both she and they aghast that she had lost her temper. \"Find out! It is your duty to find out.\"\n\nOver the months her court had consulted herbalists, acupuncturists, doctors, even soothsayers to no avail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This morning she had sent for her chief Matron. \"There has to be a way! What do you advise?\"\n\n\"You are only sixteen, Honored Princess,\" the Matron had said on her knees, \"and your Lord sixteen an—\"\n\n\"But everyone conceives by that time, far earlier, almost everyone. What's the matter with him, or with me?\"\n\n\"Nothing with thee, Princess, we have told you many times, the doctors assure us that nothing with thee is wr—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about this gai-jin doctor, the giant I've heard about? One of my maids told me it's rumored he does miracle cures of all kinds of ailments, perhaps he could cure my Lord.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, so sorry, Highness,\" the woman had burst out, appalled, \"it's unthinkable that he or you would consult a gai-jin! Please have patience, please. Cheng-sin, the marvelous soothsayer, told us patience will surely—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It could be done secretly, fool! Patience? I've waited months!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she had shrieked. \"Months of patience and still my Lord hasn't yet the glimmerings of an heir!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before she could stop herself she had slapped the woman's face." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'ginseng' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ten months of patience and ill advice is too much, you miserable person, go away! Go! go away forever!\"\n\nAll day she had planned for tonight. Special dishes that he liked were prepared, well seasoned with ginseng. Special saké laced with ginseng and powdered rhinoceros horn. Special perfumes, heavily aphrodisiac." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'special' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Special prayers to the Buddha. Special supplications to Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, grandmother of the god Niniji who came down from Heaven to rule Nippon who was great-grandfather of the first mortal Emperor, Jinmu-Tenno, founder of their Imperial Dynasty, twenty-five centuries ago—and therefore her direct ancestress.\n\nBut all had failed.\n\nNow it was in the black time of the night and she wept silently, lying on her set of futons, her husband asleep on his beside her, not happy in sleep, a cough now and then, his limbs jerking, his sleeping face not unpleasing to her. Poor silly boy, she thought, anguished, is it your karma to die heirless like so many of your line?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ko, oh ko, oh ko!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did I allow myself to be talked into this disaster, out of the arms of my beloved prince?\n\nFour years ago when she was twelve, and with the delighted approval of her mother, last and most favorite consort of her father, Emperor Ninko, who had died the year she was born, and with the equally delighted and necessary acquiescence of the Emperor Komei, her much older stepbrother who had succeeded him, she was happily affianced to a childhood playmate, Prince Sugawara.\n\nThat was the year the Bakufu formally signed the Treaties that opened Yokohama and Nagasaki, against Emperor Komei's wishes, the majority of the Court, and the outspoken advice of most daimyos. That was the year sonnojoi became a battle cry. And the same year the then tairō, Ii, proposed to the Prince Advisor that the Princess Yazu marry the Shōgun Nobusada." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So sorry,\" the Advisor said. \"Impossible.\"\n\n\"Very possible and highly necessary to bond the Shōgunate to the Imperial Dynasty and bring further peace and tranquility to the land,\" Ii had said. \"There are many historical precedents when Toranagas have agreed to marry Imperials.\"\n\n\"So sorry.\" The Advisor was effete, elaborately dressed and coiffured, his teeth blackened. \"As you well know Her Imperial Highness is already engaged to be married as soon as she reaches puberty. As you well know, too, the Shōgun Nobusada is also engaged to the daughter of a Kyōto noble.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So sorry, engagements of such illustrious persons are a matter of state policy, in Shōgunate control and always have been,\" Ii said. He was small, portly and inflexible. \"Shōgun Nobusada's engagement, at his own request, has ceased.\"\n\n\"Ah, so sorry, how sad. I heard it was a good match.\"\n\n\"Shōgun Nobusada and Princess Yazu are the same age, twelve. Please advise the Emperor, the tairō wishes to inform him the Shōgun will be honored to accept her as wife. They can marry when she is fourteen or fifteen.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I will consult the Emperor but, so sorry, I am afraid your request will not be possible.\"\n\n\"I certainly hope the Son of Heaven will be guided by Heaven on such an important decision. The gai-jin are at our gates, the Shōgunate and Dynasty must be strengthened.\"\n\n\"So sorry, the Imperial Dynasty needs no strengthening. As to the Bakufu, obedience to the wishes of the Emperor would surely improve the peace.\"\n\nIi said harshly, \"The Treaties had to be signed. The barbarian fleets and weapons can humble us whatever we say publicly! We-are-defenseless! We were forced to sign!\"\n\n\"So sorry, that is the problem and fault of the Bakufu and Shōgunate—Emperor Komei did not approve the Treaties and did not wish them signed.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Foreign policy, any temporal policy, such as the marriage I so humbly suggest, is the absolute province of the Shōgunate. The Emperor\"—Ii chose his words carefully—\"is preeminent in all other matters.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Other matters'? A few centuries ago, the Emperor ruled as was custom for millennia.\"\n\n\"So sorry, we do not live a few centuries ago.\"\n\nWhen Ii's proposal, considered by all those opposed to the Bakufu as an insult to the Dynasty, became known there was a general outcry. Within a few weeks shishi had assassinated him for his arrogance and the matter lapsed.\n\nUntil two years later when she was fourteen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though not yet a woman Imperial Princess Yazu was already an accomplished poetess, could read and write classical Chinese, knew all the court rituals necessary to her future, and was still enamored of her prince and he of her.\n\nAnjo, needing to enhance the prestige of the Shōgunate, increasingly under threat, again approached the Prince Advisor who repeated what he had already said. Anjo repeated what Ii had already said but added, to the astonishment of his adversary, \"Thank you for your opinion but, so sorry, Imperial Chancellor Wakura does not agree.\"\n\nWakura was in his forties, a man of high court rank though not of the nobility who, from the beginning, had assumed leadership of the xenophobic movement amongst middle-ranking nobles opposed to the Treaties. As Chancellor, he was one of the few who had Imperial access." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: heaven, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Within days Wakura sought an interview with the Princess. \"I am pleased to tell you that the Son of Heaven requests you agree to annul your engagement to Prince Sugawara and marry Shōgun Nobusada instead.\"\n\nPrincess Yazu almost fainted. Within the Court an Imperial request was a command. \"There must be some mistake! The Son of Heaven opposed this arrogant suggestion two years ago for obvious reasons. You are opposed, so is everyone—I cannot believe the Godhead would ask such a hideous thing.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So sorry, but it is not hideous and it is asked.\"\n\n\"Even so, I refuse—I refuse!\"\n\n\"You cannot, so sorry. May I explain th—\"\n\n\"No, you may not! I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!\"\n\nThe next day another interview was requested and refused, then another and another." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was equally inflexible. \"No.\"\n\n\"So sorry, Highness,\" her Chief Matron said, very flustered. \"The Imperial Chancellor again requests a moment to explain why this is asked of you.\"\n\n\"I will not see him. Tell him I wish to see my brother!\"\n\n\"Oh, so sorry, Highness,\" the Chief Matron said, appalled, \"please excuse me but it is my duty to remind you the Son of Heaven has no kith or kin once he has ascended.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I... of course, please excuse me, I know. I'm—I'm overwrought, please excuse me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even within the Court only the Emperor's wife, consorts, mother, children, his brothers and sisters, and two or three Councillors, were allowed to look him in the face without permission." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Outside of these few intimates it was forbidden. he was divine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like all Emperors before him, from the very moment Komei had completed the rituals that mystically joined his spirit to that of the recently deceased Emperor, his father, as his father had joined with his, and he had with his in unbroken line back to Jinmu-Tenno, he had ceased to be mortal and became a Deity, the Keeper of the Sacred Symbols—the Orb and Sword and Mirror—the Son of Heaven." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Please excuse me,\" Yazu said humbly, appalled at her sacrilege. \"I'm sorry I... Please ask the Lord Chancellor to petition the Son of Heaven to grant me a moment of his time.\"\n\nNow, through her tears, Yazu was remembering how, many days later she was on her knees before the Emperor and his ever present multitude of courtiers, heads bowed, she hardly recognizing him in his formal swirling robes—the first time she had seen him for months. She had begged and pleaded in a litany of weeping, using the necessary Court language hardly understood by outsiders, until she was spent. \"Imperial Highness, I do not want to leave home, I do not want to go to this foul place Yedo, the other side of the world, I beg leave to say we are the same blood, we are not Yedo upstart warlords...\" And had wanted to screech, We are not descended from peasants who do not speak properly, dress properly, eat properly, act properly, cannot read or write properly and stink of daikon—but she dared not." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead she said, \"I beg you, leave me be.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"First: please go and listen carefully and calmly as befits an Imperial Princess to what the Lord Chancellor Wakura has to say.\"\n\n\"I will obey, Imperial Highness.\"\n\n\"Second, I will not allow this against your will. Third, return on the tenth day, then we will talk again. Go now, Yazu-chan.\" It was the first time in her life that her brother had called her by the diminutive.\n\nSo she had listened to Wakura." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The reasons are complicated, Princess.\"\n\n\"I am accustomed to complications, Chancellor.\"\n\n\"Very well. In return for the Imperial betrothal, the Bakufu have agreed to the permanent expulsion of all gai-jin and to cancel the Treaties.\"\n\n\"But Nori Anjo has said this is impossible.\"\n\n\"True. At this time. But he has agreed at once to start modernizing the army and at once to build an invincible navy. In seven, eight, perhaps ten years he promises we will be strong enough to enforce our will.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Or in twenty or fifty or a hundred years! The Toranaga Shōguns are historic liars and not to be trusted. For centuries they have kept the Emperor confined and usurped his heritage. They are not to be trusted.\"\n\n\"So sorry, now the Emperor is persuaded to trust them. In truth, Princess, we have no temporal power over them.\"\n\n\"Then I would be a fool to give myself as hostage.\"\n\n\"So sorry, but I was going to add that your marriage would lead to a healing between Emperor and Shōgunate, which is essential to the tranquility of the State. The Shōgunate would then listen to Imperial advice and obey Imperial wishes.\"\n\n\"If they became filial. But how would my marriage bring that to pass?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Would not the Court, through you, be able to intervene, even to control this youthful Shōgun and his government?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her interest had quickened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Control? On behalf of the Emperor?\"\n\n\"Of course. How could this boy—compared with you, Highness, he a child—how could this boy have any secrets from you? Of course not. Surely the Exalted's hope is that you, his sister, would be his go-between. As wife of the Shōgun you would know everything, and a remarkable person such as yourself could soon have all the threads of Bakufu power within your hands, through this Shōgun. Since the third Toranaga Shōgun there has never been a strong one. Would you not be perfectly placed to hold the real power?\"\n\nShe had thought about that for a long time. \"Anjo and the Shōgunate aren't fools. They would have deduced that.\"\n\n\"They do not know you, Highness. They believe you are only a reed to be twisted and shaped and used at their whim, just like the boy Nobusada, why else did they choose him? They want the marriage, yes, to enhance their prestige, certainly to bring Court and Shōgunate closer. Of course, you, a girl, would be their pliant puppet, to subvert Imperial will.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, you ask too much of a woman. I do not want to leave home, nor give up my Prince.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Emperor asks that you do this.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Once again the Shōgunate is forcing him to barter, when they should just obey,\" she had said bitterly.\n\n\"The Emperor asks that you assist to make them obey.\"\n\n\"Please excuse me, I cannot.\"\n\n\"Two years ago, the bad year,\" Wakura continued in the same measured way, \"the year of famines, the year Ii signed the Treaties, certain Bakufu scholars were searching history for examples of deposed Emperors.\"\n\nYazu gasped. \"They would never dare—not that!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The Shōgunate is the Shōgunate, they are all-powerful at the moment. Why shouldn't they consider removing an obstacle, any obstacle? Did he not, his wa destroyed, even consider abdicating in favor of his son, Prince Sachi?\"\n\n\"Rumor,\" she burst out, \"that cannot be true.\"\n\n\"I believe it was, Imperial Princess,\" he said gravely. \"And now, in truth, He asks, please will you help him?\"\n\nBeyond herself, she knew whatever she said, it would always return to the \"ask.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No way out. In the end she would have to comply or become a nun. Her mouth opened for the final refusal but it never happened. Something seemed to sever in her mind and, for the first time, she began thinking by a different process, no longer child but adult, and this gave her the answer. \"Very well,\" she said, deciding to keep her own counsel. \"I will agree, providing I continue to live in Yedo as I have lived in the Imperial Palace...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "That conversation had brought her to this night's silence, broken only by her weeping." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yazu sat up in the bed and wiped her tears away. Liars, she thought bitterly, they promised me, but even on that they cheated. A slight sound from Nobusada and he turned in his sleep. In the lamplight without which he could not sleep he looked more boyish than ever, more like a younger brother than a husband—so young, so very young. Kind, considerate, always listening to her, taking her advice, no secrets from her, everything that Wakura had foretold. But unsatisfying." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My darling Sugawara, now impossible—in this lifetime.\n\nA shiver went through her. The window was open. She leaned on the lintel, hardly noticing the mansion below that was gutted and smoldering, other fires spotted here and there throughout the city, moonlight on the sea beyond—smell of burning on the wind, dawn lightening the eastern sky.\n\nHer secret resolve had not changed from that day with Wakura: to spend this life wrecking the Shōgunate who had wrecked this lifetime, to rip away their power by any means, to return that power to the Godhead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will destroy as they destroyed me, she thought, far too wise now to even whisper it down a well. I begged not to come here, begged not to have to marry this boy, and though I like him, I loathe this hateful place, loathe these hateful people.\n\nI want to go home! I will go home. That will make this life bearable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We will make this visit whatever Yoshi does or says, whatever anyone does or says." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We will go home—and we-will-stay-there!" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In brilliant midday sunshine ten days later, Phillip Tyrer sat at a desk on the veranda of the Yedo Legation contentedly practicing Japanese calligraphy, brush and ink and water, surrounded by dozens of filled and discarded pages of rice paper, astonishingly inexpensive here compared with England. Sir William had sent him to Yedo to prepare for the first meeting with the Elders.\n\nHis brush stopped abruptly. Captain Settry Pallidar and ten equally immaculate dragoons were riding up the hill. As they came into the square the samurai there, many more than before, parted to allow them access." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slight, stiff bows acknowledged by a slight, stiff salute, clearly a newly established protocol." }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'where' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Redcoat sentries, many more than before, opened the iron gates and closed them after the troops had clattered into the high-walled forecourt.\n\n\"Hello, Settry,\" Tyrer called out, running down the main steps to greet him. \"Good God, you're a sight for sore eyes, where the devil did you come from?\"\n\n\"Yokohama, old boy, where else? Came by boat.\" As Pallidar dismounted, one of the gardeners, hoe in hand, was already hurrying in a half-bowing run to hold the bridle." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'ukiya' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Pallidar saw him, his hand went to his holster. \"Get away!\"\n\n\"He's all right, Settry. He's Ukiya, one of our regulars and always very helpful. Domo, Ukiya,\" Tyrer said.\n\n\"Hai, Taira-sama, domo.\" Hiraga put on a vacant smile, his face half obscured by the coolie hat he wore, bowed and did not move.\n\n\"Get away,\" Pallidar repeated. \"Sorry, Phillip, but I don't like any of the buggers near me, particularly with a bloody hoe in his hand. Grimes!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instantly the dragoon was there and he shoved Hiraga away roughly, taking the bridle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hop it, Jappo! Piss off!\"\n\nHiraga obediently bobbed his head, kept the vacuous grin in place and moved away. But he stayed within easy listening distance, bottling his desire to avenge the insult instantly—with the razor-sharp hoe, the small stiletto hidden in his hat or with his iron-hard hands.\n\n\"Why on earth come by boat?\" Tyrer was saying.\n\n\"To save time. Patrols report extra Jappo barricades all along the Tokaidō and traffic jams all the way from Hodogaya to Yedo, worse than Piccadilly Circus on the Queen's birthday, making everyone more nervous than usual. Have a dispatch from Sir William, he's ordering the Legation closed and you and your staff back—I'm your escort for 'face.'\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer stared at him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But what about the meeting? I've been working like the devil to get everything ready.\"\n\n\"Don't know, old boy. Here.\"\n\nTyrer broke the seals on the official letter:\n\nP. Tyrer, Esq., British Legation, Yedo: This is to inform you I have agreed with the Bakufu to postpone the meeting from October 20th to Monday, November 3rd. To save unnecessary expense in troops, you and your staff will return immediately with Captain Pallidar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Three cheers! Yokohama here I come.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'william' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When do you want to leave?\"\n\n\"Immediately, the Great White Father says, immediately it will be. Can't wait. How about after lunch? Come and sit down. What's new in Yokopoko?\"\n\n\"Not much.\" As they strolled up to the veranda and easy chairs, Hiraga moved under the lee and continued hoeing.\n\nPallidar lit a cheroot. \"Sir William, the General and Admiral had another bash at the local governor and Bakufu, swearing they would have his guts for garters if they didn't produce Canterbury's murderers—and now Lun's, pretty bloody awful, what? All they got was the usual fawning and, Ah, so sorry, we're watching all roads, all paths to catch them, so sorry for delays and inconvenience! Oh, says Sir William, then you know who they are? Oh no, says the Jappos, but if we check all papers and watch everyone, perhaps we'll find them, we do everything possible, please to help by being more careful of revolutionaries. A lot of balls! They could catch them if they wanted. They're liars.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Terrible about Lun. Ghastly! I went into shock. Sir William almost had a stroke. Still no sign of how the murderers got into our place at Kanagawa?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing, any more than last time.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pallidar had noted the many pages filled with practice characters but did not comment." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Essential phrase to include: \"The Corporal left in charge was demoted and he and the other two given fifty lashes for dereliction of duty. Stupid not to be sharp after the other attack. But why the monkey's head?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He loosened his collar. \"The Corporal left in charge was demoted and he and the other two given fifty lashes for dereliction of duty. Stupid not to be sharp after the other attack. But why the monkey's head?\"\n\nTyrer shuddered. \"Sir William thinks it was because Lun jeered at their Delegation, called them 'monkeys' and it was their form of revenge.\"\n\nPallidar whistled. \"That means at least one of them, unbeknownst to our people, secretly understands English—or at the very least pidgin.\"\n\n\"We came to the same conclusion.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "With an effort Tyrer threw off his fear." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include this dialogue snippet naturally: \"To hell with that, I'm delighted to see you. What else is new?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To hell with that, I'm delighted to see you. What else is new?\"\n\nPallidar was idly watching Hiraga. \"The General believes there's more to the increased barricades and native troop movements than meets the eye. The traders say their Jappo contacts whisper that all roads out of Yedo are strangled and that the real reason's civil war's brewing. Damn nuisance not knowing. We should be moving around like the Treaty allows, should be finding out for ourselves—the General and Admiral agree for once we should operate here like in India, or anywhere else, send out patrols or a regiment or two to show the flag, by God, and contact some of the discontented kings to use them against the others. Do you have a beer?\"\n\n\"Oh, of course, sorry. Chen!\"\n\n\"Yes, Mass'er?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Beeru chop chop,\" Tyrer said, not at all sure his friend's militancy was the correct approach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The foreman of the gardeners came nearer and stood in the garden below and bowed deeply. To Pallidar's surprise Tyrer bowed back though his bow was slight. \"Hai, Shikisha? Nan desu ka?\" Yes, Shikisha, what do you want?\n\nWith even more astonishment Pallidar listened as the man asked something, Tyrer replied fluently and their conversation went back and forth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length the man bowed and left. \"Hai, Taira-sama, domo.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"My God, Phillip, what was all that about?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eh? Oh, old Shikisha? It was just that he wanted to know if it was all right for the gardeners to prepare the garden in the back. Sir William wants fresh vegetables, cauliflower, onions, brussels sprouts, baking potatoes and... what's the matter?\"\n\n\"You're really speaking Jappo then?\"\n\nTyrer laughed. \"Oh, no, not really, but I've been cooped up here for ten days with nothing to do so I've been swotting and trying to learn words and phrases. Actually, though Sir William read me the Riot Act about pulling my finger out, I'm enjoying it immensely. I get a tremendous charge out of being able to communicate.\" Fujiko's face leapt to the forefront of his mind, communicating with her, the hours spent with her—the last time ten days ago when he had returned to Yokohama for a day and the night. Hooray for Sir William, tonight or tomorrow I'll see her again, wonderful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wonderful!\" he said without thinking, beaming." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh,\" he added hastily, \"oh, er, yes, I enjoy trying to speak and read and write it. Old Shikisha's given me lots of words, mostly work words, and Ukiya.\" He pointed to Hiraga who was gardening industriously, always within distance, not knowing that \"Ukiya\" was an alias and just meant \"gardener.\" \"He's helping me with writing—jolly intelligent fellow for a Japanese.\"\n\nDuring a writing lesson yesterday, he checked rumors he had heard, he asked him with signs and words Poncin had given him, to write the characters for \"war,\" senso, and \"soon,\" jiki-ni. Then he combined his crudely written attempts as \"War, in Nippon, soon. Please?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had seen a sudden change and surprise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Gai-jin toh nihon-jin ka?\" Foreigners and Japanese?\n\n\"Iyé, Ukiya. Nihon-jin toh nihon-jin.\" No, Ukiya. Japanese and Japanese.\n\nThe man had laughed suddenly and Tyrer had seen how good-looking he was and how different from the other gardeners, wondering why he was seemingly so much more intelligent than the others, though, unlike the British equivalent worker, most Japanese could read and write. \"Nihon-jin tsuneni senso nihon-jin! Japanese are always fighting Japanese,\" Ukiya had said with another laugh, and Tyrer laughed with him, liking him even more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer grinned at Pallidar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Come on, what's new? Not business, for goodness' sake—Angelique.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pallidar grunted. \"Oh, are you interested in her?\" he asked flatly, greatly savoring the joke inside himself.\n\n\"Not at all.\" Tyrer was equally flat, equally teasing, and they chuckled together.\n\n\"Tomorrow's the engagement party.\"\n\n\"Lucky Malcolm! Thank God I'm released, marvelous! I'd hate to miss that party. How is she?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As pretty as ever. We had her as guest of honor at the mess. She arrived looking like a goddess, escorted by the frog Minister, pompous ass, and that André Poncin chap—don't like either of them. It was—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"André's rather nice actually—he's helping me a lot with my Japanese.\"\n\n\"Perhaps he is but I don't trust him. There's a long article in the Times about the coming European conflict: France and probably Russia against Germany. We'll be dragged in again.\"\n\n\"That's one war we can do without. You were saying?\"\n\nAn immense grin. \"It was a terrific evening. Had one dance with her. It was smashing. A polka—danced my heart out. Close up, her—well, without being disrespectful, I have to say her bosoms are like milk and honey and her perfume...\" For a moment Pallidar was reliving that heady moment, the center of attention on the hastily constructed dance floor, gorgeous sparkling uniforms, she the only woman present, candles and oil lamps and the Guards Band playing lustily, dancing on and on, the perfect couple, everyone else consumed with jealousy. \"Don't mind admitting I envy Struan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How is he?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eh? Oh, Struan? Slightly better so the story goes. I haven't seen him but they say he's out of bed. I asked Angelique and she only said he's much better.\" Another beam. \"The new doctor, Dr. Hoag, their family doctor, has taken over. I hear he's pretty damn good.\" Pallidar finished his beer. Another appeared from the ever attentive Chen, smiling and round and a pattern of Lim, equally a plant, and also a distant cousin of the Struan compradore. \"Thanks.\" Pallidar sipped it appreciatively. \"Damn good beer.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "⚠️ Required: Use 'tyrer' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's local. Ukiya says Japanese've brewed it for years, the best from Nagasaki. I imagine they copied some Portuguese beer centuries ago. What else's new?\"\n\nPallidar looked at Tyrer thoughtfully. \"What do you make of Hoag's assassin story? The operation and mysterious girl?\"\n\n\"Don't know what to think. I thought I recognized one of them, remember? The fellow was wounded in exactly the same place. Everything adds up. Pity you and Marlowe didn't catch him. Ironic if one of our side cured him, so that he can murder more of us.\" Tyrer dropped his voice, always servants nearby and soldiers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Between you and me, old boy, Sir William's sending for more troops and ships from Hong Kong.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'd heard the same. It'll be war soon, or we'll have to intervene if they start fighting amongst themselves...\"\n\nHiraga was listening carefully as he weeded and hoed, and though he missed many words he caught the marrow and their news confirmed his own, increasing his worries.\n\nAfter setting the Utani mansion on fire, he and his friends had reached their nearby safe house without incident. Todo and others wanted to return to Kanagawa as soon as the barriers opened at dawn, and left. He, Joun, and Akimoto decided to remain in hiding at separate dwellings, to await an opportunity to attack the Legation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That same dawn with eerie, unprecedented speed the Bakufu doubled the barriers on the Tokaidō, and extended their grasp on all four main trunk roads as well as all roads, paths and even tracks leading out of Yedo." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With stepped-up surveillance, this effectively locked them in, along with all shishi and other antagonists throughout the capital." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four days ago the mama-san Noriko sent a letter from Kanagawa, saying that with all the increased, hostile activity, this was her first opportunity, relating about Ori and Sumomo and the gai-jin doctor, and ended:\n\nStill no sign of Todo and the other two shishi—they have vanished without trace. We know they passed the first barrier but nothing more. We fear they were betrayed and you are betrayed. Escape while you can." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori is much stronger every day, his wound still clean." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'house' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have sent him to safety near Yokohama—the last place the Bakufu will expect him to go. Your Lady refuses to leave without your order—send it at once for I fear that my House is being watched. If we are attacked seek word from Raiko, the House of the Three Carp at Yokohama. News of Utani's assassination speeds throughout Nippon, and terror with it. Sonno-joi!\n\nHe began to write a reply but her messenger was very afraid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Getting here was terrible, Hiraga-san. Barrier guards are ordering everyone to strip completely—men, women, even children—in case messages are hidden in loincloths. It happened to me, Sire.\"\n\n\"Then how did you escape?\"\n\nThe messenger pointed to his bottom. \"I enclosed the letter in a small metal tube, Hiraga-san. I do not want to risk that again, some guards are very wise in the ways of smugglers. Please trust me with a spoken message.\"\n\n\"Then give your mistress my thanks and hopes and tell Sumomo-san to report to Shinsaku at once.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga had used his father's private name that only she would know, and would therefore be sure the order to return home had come from him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He paid the man. \"Be careful.\"\n\n\"Karma.\"\n\nYes, karma, Hiraga thought, and began to concentrate again on the foreign words, glad that Ori was alive, enjoying the joke that indeed a gai-jin had saved Ori to kill more gai-jin, as he himself would kill these two. During their retreat, during the confusion of leaving I could do it, if not both then one of them, whoever is the first target. Eeee, all gods, if you exist, watch and guard Sumomo." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good that she resisted her parents, good she journeyed to my parents' home in Choshu, good she came to Kanagawa, more than good that she dares to join me in battle—she will be a worthy mother to my generations, if that is my karma." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Therefore much better she goes home to safety. Better she is in Choshu far from danger...\n\nHis ears caught the word \"Shimonoseki.\" The gai-jin officer was talking volubly and seemed quite excited, and though most of the words were lost, Hiraga gleaned that cannon had fired on some ships in the Straits, had killed some sailors, and that all gai-jin were furious because the Straits were essential to their shipping.\n\nYes, it is, Hiraga thought with grim amusement, which is exactly why you will never have our Straits." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With the cannon we have even now we can close them and keep them closed to any barbarian fleet—and soon our Dutch built and designed armament factory will be casting sixty-pounders, completing three a month, with gun carriages!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The tide has turned in our favor at long last: Lord Ogama of Choshu, alone of all daimyo, obeys the Emperor's wish to attack and expel the gai-jin; correctly he and Choshu troops firmly hold the palace gates; Katsumata is gathering all shishi to ambush and destroy the Shōgun, unbelievably winkled out of his lair, on the way to Kyōto; and now our grip tightens on the gai-jin's citadel, Yokohama..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Abruptly all attention in the forecourt went to the barred and guarded gates as shouting erupted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga's stomach turned over. A samurai officer at the head of a patrol under the banners of the Bakufu, and personal insignia of Toranaga Yoshi, was loudly demanding entrance, the redcoated soldiers telling him, as loudly, to go away. Just behind him, bound and battered and cowed, was Joun—his shishi comrade.\n\nA bugler sounded the alarm. All troops inside the walls rushed to action stations, some with half-buttoned uniforms and hatless but all with rifles, full magazines and bayonets, all gardeners were on their knees, heads into the earth—Hiraga, caught off guard, remained standing for a moment then hastily followed suit feeling totally naked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Warriors, massed in the square, began collecting ominously.\n\nShakily Tyrer got to his feet. \"What the devil's up?\"\n\nWith studied slowness Pallidar said, \"I suppose we'd better find out.\" He got up leisurely, saw the Captain in charge of the Legation guards at the doorway queasily opening his holster." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"'Morning, I'm Captain Pallidar.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Captain McGregor. Glad you're here, yes, very glad.\"\n\n\"Shall we?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"How many troops do you have here?\"\n\n\"Fifty.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good, more than enough. Phillip, nothing to worry about,\" Pallidar said to reassure him, outwardly calm but his adrenaline circulating strongly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You're ranking official, perhaps you should ask him what he wants. We'll escort you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, yes, very good.\" Striving to appear calm, Tyrer put on his top hat, straightened his frock coat and walked down the steps, all eyes on him. The dragoons watched only Pallidar, awaiting his orders. Five yards from the gate Tyrer stopped, the two officers just behind him. For the moment all that he could think of was that he wanted to urinate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the silence he said haltingly, \"Ohayo, watashi wa Tairasan. Nan desu ka?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'japanese' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good morning, I am Mr. Tyrer, what you want please?\n\nThe officer, Uraga, the big bearlike man who was at the shishi ambush of Anjo outside the castle, glared at him, then bowed and held the bow. Tyrer bowed back but not quite as low—as André Poncin had advised—and said again, \"Good morning, what you want please?\"\n\nThe officer had noted the less than respectful bow and exploded in a rush of Japanese that totally swamped Tyrer, whose dismay mushroomed. So did Hiraga's, because the officer was asking for immediate permission to search the Legation and grounds, and to interview all Japanese there at once because it was probable shishi assassins and revolutionaries were amongst them: \"Like this one,\" he finished angrily, pointing at Joun." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer searched for the words." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wakarimasen. Dozo, hanashi wo suru noroku.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't understand, please to speak slowly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Wakarimasen ka?\" You don't understand? the officer said with exasperation, then raised his voice, believing like most people when talking to a foreigner that loudness made his words clearer and more understandable, and repeated what he had said, the guttural language sounding even more threatening, and ended with, \"It won't take much time and please understand it is for your own protection!\"\n\n\"So sorry, not understand. Please you to speak English or Dutch?\"\n\n\"No, of course not. It should be clear to you. I only want to come in for a little while. Please open the gates! It's for your protection! Look, your gates! Here, I will show you!\" He stepped forward, grasped one of the bars and rattled the gates loudly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everyone inside shifted nervously, many safety catches came off and Pallidar ordered loudly, \"Safety catches on! No firing without my order!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I don't know what the hell he's talking about,\" Tyrer said, a chill sweat running down his back. \"Except it's obvious he wants us to open the gates.\"\n\n\"Well, we're not bloody doing that, not to that armed rabble! Tell him to go away, that this is British property.\"\n\n\"This...\" Tyrer thought a moment, then pointed at the flagstaff and Union Jack, \"this English place... no to enter. Please to go!\"\n\n\"Go? Are you mad. I have just explained, this is for your own protection. We have just caught this dog and we are sure another is here or hiding near here. OPEN THE GATES!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, not understand...\" Helplessly Tyrer looked around as more Japanese words surrounded him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then his eyes focused on Hiraga not far away. \"Ukiya, come here,\" he called out in Japanese. \"Ukiya!\"\n\nHiraga's heart almost stopped. Tyrer shouted at him again. With pretended terror, after a stumbling, grovelling run, Hiraga put his head in the dirt at Tyrer's feet, his rump towards the gate, his coolie hat covering most of him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What man say?\" Tyrer asked.\n\nWith much feigned shaking, all senses razor-edged, Hiraga replied softly, \"He's a bad man... he wants to come in, to... to steal your guns.\"\n\n\"Ah, yes, come in. Why?\"\n\n\"He... he wants to search.\"\n\n\"No understand. What mean 'ser'ch'?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Search. He wants to look at your house, everywhere.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, understand come in. Why?\"\n\n\"I told you, to search—\"\n\n\"You, gardener,\" the officer shouted, and Hiraga jerked as anger flowed over him. For the first time in his life, out there at the center of attention, on his knees in front of a gai-jin, knowing that under his hat he wore a rough turban, if that was taken off it would reveal the shaven pate and topknot of a samurai, he was suddenly sick with fear.\n\n\"You, gardener,\" the man shouted again, rattling the gates, \"tell the fool I only want to search for assassins—shishi assassins!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Desperately Hiraga said softly, \"Taira-sama, the samurai wants to come in, to look at everyone. Tell him you are leaving, then he can come in.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No understand. Ukiya, go there!\" Tyrer pointed at the gates. \"Say go away, nice go away!\"\n\n\"I cannot. I cannot,\" Hiraga whispered, trying to get his mind working and overcome his nausea.\n\n\"Phillip,\" Pallidar said, the sweat staining the back of his uniform." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What the devil's he trying to tell you?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I don't know.\"\n\nTension soared as the officer battered the gates again, once more demanding entrance, his men began to surge forward and grip the bars to assist him. Goaded into action, Pallidar went closer. Coldly he saluted. Equally coldly the man bowed. Then, slowly Pallidar said, \"This is British property. You are ordered to leave in peace or accept the consequences.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The officer stared at him blankly then, again, with words and actions, told him to open the door—and quickly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Go away!\" Without turning his back Pallidar called out, \"Dragoons only! Prepare volley!\"\n\nInstantly the ten dragoons rushed forward in unison, formed two ranks just in front of the gates, in unison the front rank knelt, all ten safety catches came off, shells went into the breech and they aimed. In the sudden silence Pallidar slowly unbuckled his holster. \"Go away!\"\n\nAbruptly the officer laughed and his laugh was taken up in the square. There were hundreds of samurai there and he knew thousands were nearby and tens of thousands within reach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But none of them had seen the carnage that a few stalwart, disciplined British soldiers could cause with their fast and easy-to-fire breech-loaders.\n\nAs quickly as the laughter arose, it died. Both sides waited for the inevitable first move. Frantic expectation swept everyone: This'll be to the death, shikaru-beki, Christ Almighty, Namu Amida Butsu...\n\nHiraga sneaked a quick look up at Tyrer, saw the blank helplessness and cursed, knowing that any second the officer must order the attack to save face amidst the rumbling animosity outside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before Hiraga could stop himself, his self-survival mechanism decided to gamble and he heard himself whisper in English—never once before had he made any indication to Tyrer he could speak the language, \"P'rease to trust—p'rease say words: Shusho... doz—\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate this exact phrase, preserving the quotation marks: \"Eh? Did you say 'trust'? Eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer gaped. \"Eh? Did you say 'trust'? Eh?\"\n\nCommitted now, heart thundering and hoping that the two officers nearby were so concentrated on the outside they would not overhear him, Hiraga whispered haltingly, his pronunciation only fair, \"I's\" impossible for him. \"P'rease quiet. Danger! Pre'tend words yours. Say Shusho, dozo shizuka ni... say words!\" Sick with fear he waited then, sensing that samurai tension outside was at the breaking point, hissed in English again, as an order: \"Say-words-now! Now! Shusho... dozo shizuka ni... quick!\"\n\nAlmost out of himself Tyrer obeyed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Shusho, dozo shizuka ni...\" parroting the words exactly and those following, not knowing what he was saying and endeavoring to put into perspective that this gardener could speak English and that this was not a dream. Within seconds he saw that the words were having an effect. The officer shouted for quiet. Tension was lessening in the square. Now the officer listened intently to him, occasionally saying, \"Hai, wakatta\"—Yes, I understand." }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'ended' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer's courage flooded back and he concentrated on Hiraga and the Japanese. The words ended quickly with \"domo.\"\n\nAt once the officer launched into a reply. Hiraga waited until it had ended. \"Shake head,\" he whispered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Say Iyé, domo, bow quick-quick, back house. Order me go too.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More controlled now, Tyrer firmly shook his head. \"Iyé, domo!\" he said importantly, and in awed silence, the center of the world, he stomped back towards the house, stopped in sudden confusion, turned and called out in English, \"Ukiya! come along... oh, Christ,\" searched frantically for the Japanese word, found it and beckoned him: \"Ukiya, isogi!\"\n\nWith the same grovelling run Hiraga obeyed. At the top of the steps so that only Tyrer could hear, stooping abjectly, his back to all eyes he said, \"P'rease order o'rr men, now safe. Inside house quick p'rease.\"\n\nObediently Tyrer called out, \"Captain Pallidar, order the men to stand down, it's, er, it's quite safe now!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once inside the Legation, out of sight, Tyrer's ashen relief turned to anger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Who are you, what the devil did I say, eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Exp'rain 'rater, Tairasan. Samurai want search, you, o'rr men, want take guns,\" Hiraga said, stumbling over the words, not yet recovered from his own fear. He stood erect now, looking him straight in the eyes, not as tall but as sweat-stained, knowing he was not yet out of the trap. \"Captain very anger, want guns, taking guns, want searching for... for Bakufu enemy. You say him, 'No, Captain, kinjiru, forbidden searching. Today I and men 'reave here, then you search. Not now, kinjiru. We keep weapons when 'reave. Kinjiru forbidden stop us. Thank you. I now prepare go Yokohama.'\"\n\n\"That's what I said?\"\n\n\"Yes. P'rease now outside again, order me, gardeners back to work an-gri'ry. Word hatarake,\" Hiraga said queasily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We speak 'rater, in secret, you me, yes?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'tyrer' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, but not alone, with an officer present.\"\n\n\"Then no speak, so sorry.\" Hiraga assumed his grovelling posture and backed out of the room, the exchange having taken only a few seconds, and once more dropped to his knees before Tyrer, rump towards the forecourt.\n\nUnsettled, Tyrer stepped out into the light. He saw that everyone was still waiting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Captain Pallidar, and, er, Captain McGregor, stand the men down, then please join me for a conference. Hatarake! Ikimasho! Get to work! Hurry up!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'gardeners' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he shouted at the gardeners who obeyed at once. Thankfully Hiraga fled to the safety of the garden, muttering to the gardeners to cover him, officers and sergeants started shouting orders and the world began again.\n\nOblivious of everything, Tyrer stood on the veranda watching Hiraga, undecided, aghast that obviously he was a spy at the same time blessing him for saving them.\n\n\"You wanted us?\" Pallidar said, breaking his reverie.\n\n\"Oh! Oh, yes... please follow me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He led them into his office, closed the door, and told them what he had said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both congratulated him. \"Damned impressive, Phillip,\" Pallidar said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"For a moment I was sure we were going to have a showdown and Christ knows what would have happened then. Too many of the buggers really—eventually they would have overrun us. Eventually. Of course the fleet would have revenged us but we would have been pushing up daisies and that's a pretty bloody boring thought.\"\n\n\"More than a bit boring,\" Captain McGregor muttered then glanced at Tyrer. \"What do you want us to do now, sir?\"\n\nTyrer hesitated, astonished that neither had heard Hiraga's English, but pleased with his newfound stature—it was the first time McGregor had called him \"sir.\" \"We'd best obey Sir William. Order everyone to pack up and... but without making it look like an ignominious retreat, can't let them have our guns—what cheek!—or let them think we're running away. We'll march out with, er, with bands and pomp.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perfect, after we've ceremoniously run down the flag.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Fine! Well, I'd better... I'd better make sure all dispatches are boxed, etc.\"\n\nCaptain McGregor said, \"May I suggest, Sir... I really think you've earned a large glass of champagne—I do believe we've a few bottles left.\"\n\n\"Thank you.\" Tyrer beamed. \"Perhaps we... let's Splice the Mainbrace.\" This was the traditional naval phrase for issuing a ration of rum to all hands." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Also we should all have tiffin first—show them we're not going to be hurried.\"\n\n\"I'll get it organized right away,\" McGregor said. \"Damn clever to think of getting that gardener to help with the words, some of them sounded quite English. But why did they want to search the Legation?\"\n\n\"To find... to search for Bakufu enemies.\"\n\nBoth men stared at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But there aren't any Jappos here, except gardeners, if that's what they meant.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer's heart surged as this at once pegged Ukiya but Pallidar was saying, \"You're not really going to allow them to search our Legation, are you? Surely that would create a dangerous precedent.\"\n\nAt once his bonhomie vanished, for of course Pallidar was right. \"Damn, didn't think of that at the time!\"\n\nMcGregor broke the silence. \"Perhaps... perhaps before we leave, sir, you could invite the samurai officer to walk around with us, inspect the Legation, nothing wrong with inviting him. He can inspect the gardeners at the same time or we could just send them off before we all leave and we lock our gates.\"\n\n\"A perfect compromise,\" Pallidar said happily." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga was weeding near a side door of the Legation, an open window nearby, dirty and sweaty, the late afternoon sun still hot. Baggage being piled in carts in the forecourt, horses groomed, some soldiers already drawn up in marching order. Sentries patrolled the circumference walls. Outside the walls massed samurai squatted under sunshades or lolled around, malevolently.\n\n\"Now!\" It was Tyrer's voice from inside the room. Hiraga made sure he was not observed, ducked down into the undergrowth and quickly opened the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hastily, Tyrer led the way down the corridor into a room that overlooked the forecourt and bolted the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Curtains over the closed windows filtered the sunlight. A desk and a few chairs, rolls of documents, files, and a revolver on the desk. Tyrer sat behind it and motioned to a chair. \"Please sit down. Now tell me who you are.\"\n\n\"First, sek'ret I speak Ingerish, yes?\" Hiraga remained standing, at his full height and somehow menacing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"First tell me who you are and then I will decide.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, so sorry, Tairasan. I use to you, a'ready save men. Big use. True, neh?\"\n\n\"Yes, true. Why should I keep this secret?\"\n\n\"Safe me... you also.\"\n\n\"Why me?\"\n\n\"Perhaps not wise have... how you say, ah yes, sek'ret other gai-jin not know. I very he'rp you. He'rp 'rearn 'ranguage, he'rp about Nippon. I say you truth, you say me truth too, you he'rp me I he'rp you. What age p'rease?\"\n\n\"I'm twenty-one.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga hid his surprise and smiled from under the brim of his hat, so hard to tell the age of gai-jin who all looked alike. As to the gun his enemy had placed on the table it was laughable. He could kill this fool with his hands before he could touch it. Such a simple kill, so tempting, and this a perfect place, so easy to escape from but, once outside, not so simple to escape the samurai. \"Keep se'kret?\"\n\n\"Who are you? Your name's not Ukiya, is it?\"\n\n\"Promise se'kret?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer took a deep breath, weighed the consequences and came up with disaster on all counts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I agree.\" His heart skipped several beats as Hiraga slid the blade out of the hat brim, and cursed himself for being so reckless to put himself at so much risk." }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'finger' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In for a penny, in for a pound,\" he muttered.\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Nothing.\" He watched Hiraga prick his finger, then hand him the knife.\n\n\"Now you p'rease.\" Tyrer hesitated, knowing what was coming, but having decided, he shrugged and obeyed. Solemnly Hiraga touched his finger to Tyrer's, mixing their blood. \"I swear by gods keep sek'ret about you. You say same p'rease by Christian god, Tairasan.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I swear by God to keep it secret about you as long as I can,\" Tyrer said gravely, wondering where the binding oath would take him. \"Where did you learn English? A missionary school?\"\n\n\"Hai, but I not Christian.\" Not safe to tell about our Choshu schools, Hiraga thought, or about Mr. Great Smell, the Dutchman, our Ingerish teacher who said he had been a priest before becoming a pirate. Truth or lie to this Taira matters not at all, he is gai-jin, a minor leader of our most powerful outside enemy and therefore to be used, distrusted, hated and killed at whim. \"You he'rp es'kape?\"\n\n\"Who are you? Where do you come from? Your name's not Ukiya.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga smiled and sat in one of the chairs. \"Ukiya mean gardener, Tairasan. Fami'ry name Ikeda.\" He said the lie easily. \"Nakama Ikeda, I who officer want. I twenty-two year.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"Because I and fami'ry, of Choshu, we fight Bakufu. Bakufu take power from Emperor an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You mean the Shōgun?\"\n\nHiraga shook his head. \"Shōgun is Bakufu, head of Bakufu. He...\" He thought a moment, then mimed a puppet on a string. \"Unn'erstan'?\"\n\n\"Puppet?\"\n\n\"Yes, puppet.\"\n\nTyrer blinked. \"The Shōgun's a puppet?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga nodded, more confident now he was communicating, having to work hard to remember the words. \"Shōgun Nobusada, boy, sixteen year, Bakufu puppet. He 'rive Yedo. Emperor 'rive Kyōto. Now Emperor no power. More two hundred year, Shōgun Toranaga take power. We fight take power from Shōgun and Bakufu, give back Emperor.\"\n\nTyrer's mind, aching with so much concentration—hard to understand this man's speech—instantly realized the far-reaching implications. \"This boy Shōgun. How old please?\"\n\n\"Sixteen year Shōgun Nobusada. Bakufu say what do,\" Hiraga said again, curbing his irritation, knowing he must be patient. \"Emperor much power but no...\" He searched for the word, could not find it so explained another way, \"Emperor not 'rike daimyo. Daimyo has samurai, weapon, many. Emperor no samurai, no weapon. Can no make Bakufu obey. Bakufu have armies, Emperor not, wakatta?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hai, Nakama, wakatta.\" A thousand questions were jostling to be asked and Tyrer knew this man could be a well to be emptied, but it must be done cautiously and this was not the place." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He saw the intense concentration on the man's face and wondered how much of what he said Nakama actually understood, reminding himself to speak slowly and as simply as possible. \"How many of you fight against the Bakufu?\"\n\n\"Many.\" Hiraga slapped at a vagrant mosquito.\n\n\"Hundreds, thousands? What sort of people, ordinary people, gardeners, workmen, merchants?\"\n\nHiraga looked at him, bewildered. \"They nothing. On'ry serve samurai. On'ry samurai fight. On'ry samurai hav weapon. Kinjiru other have weapons.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer blinked again. \"You're samurai?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "More bewilderment. \"Samurai fight. I say fight Bakufu, yes? Nakama samurai!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga took off his hat and pulled away the soiled, sweat-stained cloth that served as a turban to reveal his characteristic shaven pate and topknot. Now that Tyrer could see his face clearly, for the first time without the low-brimmed coolie hat and the first time he had really looked at him, he saw the same hard, slanting eyes of a two-sworder, and the vast difference in bone structure from villagers. \"When Shusho, captain samurai, see me so, I dead.\"\n\nTyrer nodded, his mind amok.\n\n\"Easy me es'kape. P'rease, give so'rdier c'rothes.\"\n\nTyrer was finding it hard to keep the excitement, and dread, off his face, part of him desperate to flee, the other avaricious to have all this samurai's knowledge that could, no, would, be a major key to unlock the world of Nippon and his own future if handled correctly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just as he was about to blurt out his agreement he remembered Sir William's previous admonition and, thankfully, took time to compose himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Easy es'kape, yes?\" Hiraga repeated impatiently.\n\n\"Not easy, possible. But risky. First I have to be convinced to be sure you are worth saving.\" Tyrer saw the sudden flash of anger—perhaps it was anger together with fear, he could not decide. Christ, samurai! I wish Sir William were here, I'm out of my depth. \"Don't think I can r—\"\n\n\"P'rease,\" Hiraga said as a supplicant, knowing that this was his only real chance to break out of the trap, but thinking, Hurry up and agree or I shall kill you and try to escape over the wall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nakama swear by gods he'rp Tairasan.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You swear solemnly by your gods you will answer all my questions truthfully?\"\n\n\"Hai,\" Hiraga said at once, astounded that Tyrer could be so naive as to ask that question of an enemy or believe his affirmative answer—surely he cannot be that stupid? What god or gods? There are none. \"By gods I swear.\"\n\n\"Wait here. Bolt the door, only open it to me.\"\n\nTyrer put the revolver in his pocket, went and found Pallidar and McGregor and took them aside breathlessly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I need some help. I've found out Ukiya is one of the men wanted by the samurai. It turns out he's a sort of dissident. I want to disguise him as a soldier and sneak him back with us.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'caught' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both officers stared at him. Then McGregor said, \"Excuse me, sir, but do you think that's wise? I mean, the Bakufu are the legal government and if we get caught th—\"\n\n\"We won't get caught. We just dress him up as a Redcoat and put him in the middle of soldiers. Eh, Settry?\"\n\n\"Yes, we could do that, Phillip, but if he's spotted and we're stopped we'll be up the creek without a paddle.\"\n\n\"Do you have an alternative suggestion?\" Tyrer said, a nervousness to his voice as his fear-excitement rose." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I want him smuggled out. Without his help we would probably all be dead and he will be extremely useful to us.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uneasily the other two men looked at each other, then at Tyrer. \"Sorry, it's too dangerous,\" Pallidar said.\n\n\"I-don't-think-so!\" Tyrer snapped, head aching. \"I want it done! It's a matter of extreme importance to Her Majesty's Government and that's the end to it!\"\n\nMcGregor sighed. \"Yes, sir, very well. Captain, what about mounting him?\"\n\n\"As a dragoon? Ridiculous idea, a gardener won't be able to ride, for God's sake. Much better let him march, surround him with sold—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Fifty pounds against a brass farthing the bugger can't keep step, he'll be as obvious as a whore in a Bishop's underpants!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Tyrer said, \"What about if we put him in uniform, bandage his face and hands and carry him on a stretcher—pretend he's sick.\"\n\nThe officers looked at him, then beamed. \"Good oh!\"\n\n\"Even better,\" Pallidar said happily, \"we pretend he has some foul disease, smallpox—measles—plague!\" In unison they laughed." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The samurai officer and the guards they had agreed to allow within the now empty Legation followed Tyrer, McGregor and four dragoons throughout the house." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their search was meticulous, every room, every cupboard, even the attics. At length he was satisfied. In the hall were two stretchers, on each a soldier, both feverish, both bandaged, one partially, the other, Hiraga, completely—head, feet, and hands—outside his soaking uniform.\n\n\"Both very sick,\" Tyrer said in Japanese, Hiraga having given him the words. \"This soldier has spotted disease.\"\n\nThe very mention of the words caused the samurai to blanche and move back a pace—outbreaks of smallpox were endemic in the cities but never so bad as in China where hundreds of thousands died. \"This... this must be reported,\" the officer muttered, he and his men covering their mouths as all believed infection and spread of the disease was caused by breathing befouled air near a sufferer.\n\nTyrer did not understand so he just shrugged. \"Man very sick. Not go near.\"\n\n\"I am not going near him, you think I am mad?\" The big man went on to the veranda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Listen,\" he said quietly to his men." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Don't say a word about this to the others in the square or there may be a panic. Stinking foreign dogs. Meanwhile keep your eyes open, this Hiraga is here somewhere.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They scoured the grounds and outhouses, the full complement of Legation staff and soldiers drawn up in the shade, waiting impatiently to begin the march down to the wharf and to the waiting boats. At last satisfied, the officer bowed sourly and stalked back through the gates, samurai massed outside, Joun still bound near the front ranks, the petrified gardeners kneeling in a row, all hats off and naked. As he approached they cowered deeper into the dirt.\n\n\"Get up!\" he said angrily, disgusted that when he had ordered them to strip, not one of them had the shaven pate of a samurai, or any sword cuts, wounds or other sign of samurai status, so he had been forced to conclude his prey was still hiding inside, or had escaped. Now he was even more angry and stomped in front of Joun. \"To disguise himself, the ronin Hiraga has shaved his head or allowed his hair to grow like one of those scum gardeners. Identify him!\"\n\nJoun was on his knees, broken, near death. He had been beaten and brought back to life and beaten and brought back again on Anjo's orders. \"Identify this Hiraga!\"\n\n\"He's... he's not, not there.\" The youth cried out as the officer's iron hard foot thudded into his most sensitive parts, then again, the gardeners shivering and terrified. \"He's not... not there...\" Again the merciless blow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In desperate, helpless agony, beyond himself, Joun pointed at a youngish man who fell on his knees, screaming his innocence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Shut him up!\" the officer shouted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Take him before the judge, thence to prison and crucify the scum, take them all, they are guilty of hiding him, take them all!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were dragged away shrieking they were guiltless, the youngish man squealing that he had seen Hiraga earlier near the house and if they let him go he would show them but no one paid any attention and quickly his cries and all their cries were ended, brutally.\n\nThe officer wiped the sweat off his brow, satisfied that he had carried out his orders. He took a sip from a water bottle and spat to clean his mouth, then drank gratefully.\n\nEeee, he thought, and shivered. The spotted disease! A gai-jin disease brought from outside! Everything rotten comes from outside, gai-jin have got to be thrown out and kept out for all time. Angrily he watched the bands forming up, soldiers strutting, his mind on the shishi he sought.\n\nNot possible that that gardener was a famous shishi, the Hiraga of the fight. Karma that I and my men arrived too late that day to see him and the others who escaped. Not karma, God was watching over me. If I had seen them I could not have pretended to accept the one Joun pointed out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where is this Hiraga? He is hiding somewhere. Please God, help me.\n\nEeee, life is curious. I hate the gai-jin yet I believe in their Jesus God, though secretly, like my father and his father and his back to before Sekigahara. Yes, I believe in this Jesus God, the only thing of value from outside, and didn't the Jesuit Teacher Princes say Belief gives us added power and that when we had a problem to worry it as a dog worries a bone.\n\nHiraga is hiding somewhere. I have searched carefully. Therefore he has disguised himself. As what? A tree? What?\n\nInside the walls preparations for departure continued." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The engagement party was in full swing under the oil lamps that lit the crowded main hall of the Club—the whole building taken over by Malcolm Struan and bedecked for his party. All respectable members of the Settlement had been invited and were present, all officers who could be spared from the fleet and Army—and outside on the High Street patrols of both services were ready to inhibit drunks and undesirables from Drunk Town.\n\nAngelique had never looked more striking—crinoline, Bird of Paradise feather headdress and dazzling engagement ring. The dance was a pulsating waltz by Johann Strauss the Younger, brand-new and just arrived from Vienna by diplomatic pouch, which André Poncin was playing with gusto on the piano, ably supported by a skeleton Marine Band in full dress uniform for the occasion. Her partner was Settry Pallidar—his selection to represent the Army had been greeted with a roar of approval, and total jealousy.\n\nVictoria Lunkchurch and Mabel Swann were also dancing, this time partnered by Sir William and Norbert Greyforth, their dance cards filled the moment the party was announced. For all their girth both were good dancers, both wore crinolines though these could not compare with Angelique's in either richness or décolletage.\n\n\"Thee's a right rotten skinflint, Barnaby,\" Victoria hissed at her husband. \"Mabel and me're going to have new folderols if it costs thee thy whole company, by God! And we wants titfers like hers, by God!\"\n\n\"Wot?\"\n\n\"Yes, wot! Titfers—hats!\" Angelique's headdress had been the final coup de grace for both women." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tis war, her against us'n.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'bastard' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even so their popularity overcame their jealousy, and they twirled with abandon.\n\n\"Lucky bloody bastard,\" Marlowe muttered, eyes only for his rival. His blue naval uniform jacket glittered with the added gold braid of an aide-decamp, white silk trousers and stockings and black, silver-buckled shoes.\n\n\"Who?\" Tyrer asked, passing by with another glass of champagne, flushed and excited with the evening and with his success in spiriting Nakama, the samurai, out of Yedo and, with Sir William's approval, into his house as a Japanese teacher. \"Who's a bastard, Marlowe?\"\n\n\"Get stuffed—as if you didn't know!\" Marlowe grinned. \"Listen, I'm the Navy's rep, I've got the next one and I'll show the bugger what's what or die in the attempt.\"\n\n\"Lucky devil! What is it?\"\n\n\"Polka!\"\n\n\"Oh, my word—did you arrange it?\"\n\n\"Good God, no!\" The polka, based on a Bohemian folk dance, was another recent addition to the dance floors of Europe and all the rage, though still considered risqué." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's on the program! Didn't you notice?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, never did, too much on my mind,\" Tyrer said happily, bursting to tell someone how clever he had been, and even more that tonight, as soon as he could, he was heading across the Bridge to Paradise and into the arms of his beloved—regretting that he was sworn to secrecy on both counts. \"Dances like a dream, doesn't she?\"\n\n\"Hey, young Tyrer...\" It was Dmitri Syborodin, well oiled and sweating, a tankard of rum in his fist. \"I asked the Bandmaster to throw in a cancan. Guy said I was the fifth to ask.\"\n\n\"My God, is he going to?\" Tyrer asked, appalled. \"I saw it performed once in Paris—you won't believe it, but the girls didn't wear any pantaloons at all.\"\n\n\"I believe it!\" Dmitri guffawed. \"But Angel Boobs has 'em on tonight, and not afraid to show 'em either, by God!\"\n\n\"Now, look here...\" Marlowe began hotly.\n\n\"Come on, John, he's just joking. Dmitri, you're impossible! Surely the Bandmaster wouldn't dare?\"\n\n\"Not unless Malc gives him the nod.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They looked across the room. Malcolm Struan sat with Dr. Hoag, Babcott, Seratard and several of the Ministers watching the dance floor, eyes only for Angelique as she dipped and swayed to the enchanting, daring modern music that exhilarated all of them. His hand rested on a heavy cane, the gold signet ring sparkling as his fingers moved to the beat, dressed in sleek silk evening clothes, winged collar, cream cravat and diamond pin, his fine leather boots from Paris.\n\n\"Pity he's still so disabled,\" Tyrer murmured, genuinely sorry, but blessing his own luck.\n\nStruan and Angelique had arrived late. He walked with extreme difficulty, hunched over as much as he tried to remain upright, his weight on the two canes, Angelique radiantly on his arm. Dr. Hoag was with them, attentive and ever watchful. There were cheers for him and more for her and then, gratefully sitting, he had welcomed them, invited them all to partake of the feast that had been laid out on tables. \"But first, my friends,\" he said, \"please raise your glasses, a toast to the most beautiful girl in the world, Mademoiselle Angelique Richaud, my bride to be.\"\n\nCheers and more cheers. Liveried Chinese servants brought iced champagne by the case, Jamie McFay added a few words of joy and the party was on." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, a special Chablis much favored in Asia, brandies, whiskies—all exclusive Struan imports—gin, beer from Hong Kong." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sides of Australian roasted beef, a few whole lambs, chicken pies, joints of cold salt pork, hams, Shanghai potatoes, baked and stuffed with roast salt pork slivers and butter, as well as puddings and chocolates, a new Swiss import. After supper had been cleared away and seven drunks removed, André Poncin took his place and the band began.\n\nWith great formality towards Malcolm, Sir William begged the first dance. Next was Seratard, then the other Ministers—except von Heimrich who was in bed with dysentery—the Admiral and the General, all of them and others taking turns with the other two women. After each dance Angelique would be surrounded by flushed and beaming faces, and then, fanning herself, she would make her way back to Malcolm's side, delightful to everyone yet completely attentive to him, every time refusing the dance, at length allowing herself to be persuaded by him: \"But, Angelique, I love to watch you dancing, my darling, you dance so gracefully.\"\n\nNow he was watching her, torn between happiness and frustration, frantic that he was hobbled.\n\n\"Don't fret, Malcolm,\" Hoag had said this evening, wanting to calm him, the simple act of dressing a nightmare of pain and awkwardness. \"This is the first time you've been up. It's only a month since the accident, don't worr—\"\n\n\"Tell me that once more and I'll spit blood.\"\n\n\"It's not just the pain that's tearing you apart. It's the medication, or lack of it, and today's mail. You got a letter from your mother, didn't you?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" he had said in total misery, and sat on the edge of the bed, half dressed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She... well, she's furious, never known her so angry. She's totally opposed to my engagement, to my marriage... if I listened to her, Angelique is the devil incarnate. She...\" The words tumbled out of him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She dismissed my letter, dismissed it and said, here read it: Have you gone mad? Your father's not dead six weeks, you're not yet twenty-one, that woman's after your money and our company, she's the daughter of an escaped bankrupt, the niece of another felon, and, God help us, Catholic and French! Are you out of your mind? You say you love her? Rubbish! You're bewitched. You will stop this nonsense. You-will-stop-this-nonsense! She has bewitched you. Obviously you are in no frame of mind to run Struan's! You are to return without that person as soon as Dr. Hoag permits it.\"\n\n\"When I permit it. Malcolm, will you do as she says?\"\n\n\"About Angelique, no. None of what she says is important, none of it! Clearly she didn't read my letter, doesn't give a fig for me. What the devil can I do?\"\n\nHoag had shrugged. \"What you've already decided: you will be engaged and in due time married. You are going to get better. You will have lots of rest, lots of good soups and porridge and stay off the sleeping draft and painkillers. For the next two weeks you will stay here, then you will go back and face the\"—he had smiled kindly—\"the future with confidence.\"\n\n\"I'm very lucky to have you as a doctor.\"\n\n\"I'm very lucky to have you as a friend.\"\n\n\"Did you get a letter from her too?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" A dry laugh. \"I did, now that I think of it.\"\n\n\"And?\"\n\nHoag had rolled his eyes. \"Enough said?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. Thanks.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, watching her dancing, center of a universal admiration, and lust, breasts in large part fashionably revealed, slender ankles enticing eyes to seek further under the billowing hoops of apricot silk, he felt himself hardening. Thank God for that, he thought, much of his rage evaporating, at least that's working, but, Christ, I know I won't be able to wait until Christmas. I won't." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was nearing midnight now and she sipped champagne and hid behind her fan, fluttering it in a practiced manner, teasing those around her, then gave the glass away as though bestowing a gift, made her apologies and went gliding back to her chair that was beside Struan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Close by was an animated group of Seratard, Sir William, Hoag, other Ministers, and Poncin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"La, Monsieur André, your playing is superb. Isn't that so, Malcolm darling?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, superb,\" Struan said, not feeling good at all, trying to cover it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hoag glanced over at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In French she was saying, \"André, where have you been hiding the last few days?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked over her fan at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If we were in Paris I would swear that you had given your heart to a new lady friend.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Poncin said lightly, \"Just work, Mademoiselle.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, in English, \"Ah, sad. Paris in the fall is especially wonderful, almost as breathtaking as spring. Oh, wait till I show it to you, Malcolm. We should spend a season there, no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was standing close to him, and she felt his arm go loosely around her waist, she rested her arm lightly on his shoulder and toyed with his long hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The touch pleased her, his face handsome and clothes handsome and the ring he had given her this morning, a diamond with other diamonds surrounding it, delighting her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She glanced at it, twisting it, admiring it, wondering how much it was worth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Malcolm, you will enjoy Paris, in season it's truly wonderful. Could we?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why not, if you'd like to.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sighed, her fingers discreetly caressing his neck, and said as though taken by a sudden thought, \"Perhaps, do you think, chéri, do you think we could honeymoon there—we could dance the night away.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Your dancing is a delight, Mademoiselle, in whatever city,\" Hoag said, sweating and uncomfortable in his overtight clothes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wish I could say the same for mine. May I sugg—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You don't dance at all, Doctor?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Years ago, when I was in India I did, but stopped when my wife died. She really enjoyed it so much that now I can't enjoy it at all. Marvelous party, Malcolm. May I suggest we call it a night?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angelique glanced up at him, her smile fading, noticed the caution on his face, looked at Malcolm and saw the exhaustion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How awful he's so sick, she thought. Damn!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's still early,\" Malcolm was saying bravely, longing to lie down, \"isn't it, Angelique?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I must confess I really am tired too,\" she said at once." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her fan closed, she put it down, smiled at him, Poncin and the others, preparing to leave." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps we could slip out and let the party continue...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They made their quiet apologies to those around them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone else pretended not to notice them leave but in her wake was emptiness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside at the door she stopped a moment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh la la, I forgot my fan. I'll catch you up, my darling.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hurried back. Poncin intercepted her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Mademoiselle,\" he said in French." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I believe this is yours.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, you're so kind.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She accepted her fan, delighted that her stratagem had worked and that he was as observant as she had hoped." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he bent over her hand to kiss it she whispered in French, \"I must see you to morrow.\"\n\n\"Legation at noon, ask for Seratard, he won't be there.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was brushing her hair in front of her mirror, still humming the last waltz she had danced. Which was the best?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she asked herself. The best dance?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That's easy, Marlowe and the polka, better than Pallidar and waltzes—you should waltz only with the love of your life, allowing the music to swim your head with adoration and longing, drifting you on the clouds, tingling and wanting as I am tonight, the best day of my life, engaged to a fine man and loved by him to distraction.\n\nIt should be the best day, but isn't." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Strange that I enjoyed this evening, and can act and think calmly, when already the day has passed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm overdue—probably with child of a rapist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This must be ended.\n\nShe was watching her reflection as though it were another person, the brushstrokes firm, titillating her scalp and head and taking away any cobwebs, astonished that she was still alive and outwardly the same after so much agony." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Curious. Every day after the first has seemed easier." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why is that?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know. Well, never mind. Tomorrow will solve the overdue though perhaps even now I shall begin in the night and there will have been no need for all the fear and crying and crying and more fear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tens of thousands of women have been trapped like I am trapped and still have been made whole without hurt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just a little drink and everything as before and no one the wiser. Except you and God!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except you and the doctor, or you and the midwife—or witch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Enough for tonight, Angelique." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trust in God and the Blessed Mother." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Blessed Mother will help you, you are blameless. You are openly engaged to a marvelous man, somehow you will be married and live happily ever after." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tomorrow... tomorrow will begin the where and how." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Behind her Ah Soh was tidying the four-poster, picking up her stockings and underwear. The crinoline already hung on a rack with two others, and half a dozen new day dresses still wrapped in their sheaves of rice paper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Through the open window came the sound of laughter and drunken singing, and music from the Club that still showed no sign of abating." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sighed, wanting to be back at the dance. The brush moved more vigorously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Miss'y wan thing, heya?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No. Want to sleep.\"\n\n\"Night, Miss'y.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angelique bolted the door after her. The connecting door to Struan's suite was closed but unbolted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By custom, as soon as she had finished her toilet, she would knock, then go and kiss him good night, perhaps chat just a little and return again, leaving the door ajar in case he had a seizure in the night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These were infrequent now, though since he had stopped the night medicine a week ago, he was very restless, hardly sleeping, but never demanding.\n\nAgain she sat at her mirror and was pleased with what she saw." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her peignoir was silk and lacy and Parisian—a locally made copy of one she had brought with her:... and you cannot believe the workmanship, Colette, or the speed of the Chinese tailor, she had written this afternoon for tomorrow's mail ship." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'anything' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I can get anything copied. Please send me some patterns, or cuttings from La Parisienne or L'Haute Couture of the latest styles or anything wonderful—my Malcolm is so generous and so rich!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He says I can order what I like!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And my ring!!!! A diamond with fourteen smaller ones around it. I asked him how on earth he had got it and where in Yokohama and he just smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I really must be more careful and not ask silly questions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Colette, everything is so marvelous except I'm worried about his health. He improves so slowly and walks very badly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But his ardor increases, poor man, and I have to take care... Must dress for the party now but I'll write more before the post." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My everlasting love for the moment.\n\nHow lucky Colette is, her pregnancy a gift of God." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stop! No more or the tears and terror will come back. Put the problem aside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You decided what to do, if it was or if it was not." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is, so the other plan—what else can you do?\n\nAn absent touch of perfume behind her ears and on her breasts, a slight adjustment of the lace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A gentle knock on his door. \"Malcolm?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Come in—I'm alone.\"\n\nUnexpectedly, he was not in bed but sitting in his armchair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Red silk dressing gown, eyes strange." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once some instinct put her on guard. She bolted the door as usual, and went over to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not tired, my love?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, and yes. You take my breath away.\" He held out his hands and she came closer, heart picking up a beat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His hands were trembling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He coaxed her nearer and kissed her hands and arms and breasts. For a moment she did not resist, enjoyed his adoration, wanting him, and leaned down and kissed him and allowed him to fondle her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, the heat mounting too swiftly, she sank on her knees beside the chair, heart pounding like his, and half broke the embrace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We mustn't,\" she whispered breathlessly.\n\n\"I know but I must, I want you so much...\" His lips were throbbing and hot and seeking and, pushed onwards, hers responded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now his hand was caressing her thigh, feeding more fire to her loins, and then the pleasing tormenter moved higher and higher still and she wanted more but drove herself from the ever-pressing brink and again pulled away, whispering, \"No, chéri.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But this time he was surprisingly stronger, his other arm held her in an amorous vise, his voice and lips ever more persuasive, closer and closer but then, without thinking, he twisted too quickly and pain ripped through him. \"Oh, Christ!\"\n\n\"What is it? Are you all right?\" she said, frightened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, yes, I think so. Christ Almighty!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It took him a moment or two to recover, the surging pain lancing his ardor, that ache remaining, the other pain making it seem more strong. His hands still held on to her, still trembling but without strength. \"Jesus, sorry...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No sorry, my darling.\" When, thankfully, she had recovered her own breath, she got up and poured some of the cold tea that he kept beside the bed, her loins restless and cramped and nervous, heart agitated, not wanting to stop either but must, a few more minutes and wouldn't have, must find a way to be safe, him safe, us safe—a voice shouting the litany at the forefront of her mind, \"a man never marries his mistress, nothing before marriage, everything permissible after,\" pounded into her as soon as she could understand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Here,\" she murmured, giving him the cup." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She knelt and watched him, eyes closed, sweat staining his face and dressing gown. In a moment, most of her own unease and disquiet slid away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She put a hand on his knee and he covered it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Being so... so close is bad for us, Malcolm,\" she said softly, liking him very much, loving him but not truly sure about love." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's difficult for both of us, chéri, I want you too and love you too.\"\n\nAfter a long time he said with difficulty, his voice low and hurting, \"Yes, but—but you can help.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But we can't, not before we're married, not yet, we can't, not now.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Abruptly his pain and frustration crested at having to sit all evening and endure other men dancing with her, lusting after her, while he could hardly walk where a month ago he knew he was a far better dancer than any one of them.\n\nWhy not now? he wanted to scream at her, what difference does a month or two make?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "For Christ's sake... but all right I'll accept that at marriage a proper girl must be virgin or she's a loose woman, I'll accept that a gentleman doesn't wrong her before marriage—I accept that!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the love of God, there are other ways.\n\n\"I know, we—we can't now,\" he said throatily, \"but... Angelique, but please help me, please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But how?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once more words choked him: For Christ's sake, like girls in Houses do, kiss you and fondle you and finish you—do you think lovemaking is just spreading your legs and lying there like a piece of meat—the simple things these girls will do without fuss or shame and happy for you afterwards, \"Hey, you now all same good-ah, heya?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he knew he could never tell her. It was against all his upbringing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How do you explain to the lady you love when she's so young and artless or so selfish or just ignorant. Suddenly the truth became rancid." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something in him mutated, changed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a different voice he said, \"You're quite right, Angelique, it's difficult for both of us. Sorry. Perhaps it would be best if you moved back to the French Legation until we leave for Hong Kong. Now that I'm getting better we must guard your reputation.\"\n\nShe stared at him, unnerved by the change." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But Malcolm, I am comfortable where I am, and near in case you need me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh yes, I need you.\" His mouth moved with the shadow of an ironic smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll ask Jamie to make the arrangements.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hesitated, off balance, not sure how to proceed. \"If that's what you want, chéri.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, it's best. As you said, being so close is difficult for each of us. Good night, my love, I'm so glad you enjoyed your party.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A chill passed through her, but whether from outside or inside she did not know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She kissed him, ready to return his passion, but there was none. What had changed him?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sleep beautifully, Malcolm, I love you.\" Still nothing.\n\nNever mind, she thought, men are so moody and difficult." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Smiling as though nothing were wrong she unbolted his door, blew him a tender kiss and went into her own room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He watched their door. It was slightly ajar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As usual. But everything in their world was no longer as usual." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The door and her nearness no longer tempted him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was feeling different, somehow refashioned. He did not know why but he was very sad, very old, some instinct telling him that however much he loved her, however much he tried physically, she would never in their whole life together ever completely satisfy him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Using his stick, he heaved himself to his feet and hobbled as quietly as he could to the bureau. In the top drawer was the small bottle of the medication that he had secreted away against nights when the idea of sleep became impossible." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He swigged the last of it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heavily, he shuffled to his bed. Gritting his teeth, he lay down and sighed as most of the pain left him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That he had consumed the last of the peace-giver did not bother him in the least." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chen, Ah Tok or any of the servants could supply him with more, whenever he wanted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, didn't Struan's supply part of China?\n\nOn her side of the door, Angelique was still leaning against the wall, in turmoil, unsure whether to go back or to leave well enough alone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had heard him go to the bureau and the drawer open, but did not know why, heard the bed springs creak and his long-drawn-out sigh of relief." }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'because' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was just the pain and because we can't, not now, she thought, reassuring herself again, stifling a nervous yawn. And also because he had to sit still at the dance when he is as fine a dancer as I've ever had—wasn't it that that had first attracted me to him in Hong Kong from all the others?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not wrong that he wants to make love—and not my fault he was hurt. Poor Malcolm, he's just overwrought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tomorrow he will have forgotten all about it and everything will be fine—and it's better I move now, there's the other to consider. All will be well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She slipped into bed and into easy sleep but her dreams were quickly peopled by strange monsters with twisted baby faces, shrieking with laughter and tugging at her, \"Mamma... Mamma,\" writing on the sheets with her own blood that leaked from the tip of her finger she used as a pen, tracing and retracing those characters—the ones from the counterpane imprinted deeply in her mind that she had not yet had the courage to ask André or Tyrer about." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something jerked her out of sleep. The nightscapes vanished. Uneasily awake, she glanced at the door, half expecting to see him there." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he was not and she heard, faintly, his heavy, regular breathing, so she settled back in her pillows and thought, It was the wind or a banging shutter.\n\nMon Dieu, I'm tired, but what a lovely time I had at the dance. And what a lovely ring he gave me." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Humming the polka and envious of John Marlowe's success, and quite sure he could have done as well, Phillip Tyrer half danced up to the door of the House of the Three Carp in the tiny, deserted little alleyway and knocked with a flourish. Here the Yoshiwara seemed to be slumbering, but not far away the houses and bars on Main Street were bubbling, the night young with the noise of men laughing and raucous singing, the occasional twang of samisen and laughter and pidgin mixed with it.\n\nThe door grille opened. \"Mass'er, wat?\"\n\n\"Please speak Japanese. I am Tairasan and I have an appointment.\"\n\n\"Ah, is that so?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "the burly servant said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tairasan, eh? I will inform the mama-san.\" The grille closed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he waited Tyrer's fingers drummed on the old wood. Yesterday and last night he had had to spend all his time with Sir William, explaining about Nakama and the Legation, arranging a modus vivendi for his newfound teacher—guilty he had not revealed the vital truth that the man could speak some English. But he had sworn, and an Englishman's word was his bond.\n\nSir William had finally agreed \"Nakama\" could be openly samurai—\n\nsons of samurai families had been attached to the French and British Legations for short periods in the past, just as Babcott had Japanese assistants." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Sir William had ordered he was not to wear or have swords within the Settlement fence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This same rule applied to all samurai, except Settlement guards under an officer on their rare, and prior-sanctioned patrols. Further that Nakama was not to dress ostentatiously or go anywhere near the Customs House or guard house, and to keep out of sight as much as possible, that if he was discovered and claimed by the Bakufu it would be his fault and he would be handed over to them.\n\nTyrer had sent for Nakama and explained what Sir William had agreed. By this time he was too tired for Fujiko. \"Now, Nakama, I need to send a message, and I want you to deliver it. Please write the characters for: 'Please arrange... '\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"'range, p'rease?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To fix or to make. 'Please make an appointment for me tomorrow night with... 'Leave a blank for the name.\"\n\nIt had taken Hiraga a little time to understand exactly what was required of him and why. In desperation, Tyrer had found himself giving the name Fujiko and the House of the Three Carp. \"Ah, Three Carp?\" Hiraga had said. \"So ka! Give message mama-san, no mistake, arrange you see musume tomorrow, yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, please.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nakama had shown him how to write the characters and Tyrer copied them, very pleased with himself, and signed the message carefully with the signature Hiraga had developed for him and now he was here at the gate.\n\n\"Come on, hurry up,\" he muttered—ready, willing and able.\n\nIn time the door grille opened again. By Raiko. \"Ah, good evening, Tairasan, you want us to speak Japanese, certainly,\" she said with a smile and a little bow, and followed with a flood of lilting Japanese which he did not catch, except the name of Fujiko several times, ended with, \"So sorry.\"\n\n\"What? Oh, You sorry? Why sorry, Raiko-san? Good evening, I have appointment Fujiko... with Fujiko.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry,\" she repeated patiently, \"but Fujiko is not available this evening, and will not be free even for a short time. So sorry, but there is nothing I can do, she sends her regrets of course and, so sorry, but all my other ladies are equally occupied. Very sorry.\"\n\nAgain he did not understand everything. The gist reached him. Crestfallen, Tyrer understood that Fujiko was not there, but not the reason. \"But letter, yesterday—my message man, Nakama, he bring, yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, yes! Nakama-san brought it and as I told him I thought everything would be perfect but, so sorry, it is not now possible to accommodate you. So sorry, Tairasan, thank you for remembering us. Good night.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wait,\" Tyrer shouted in English as the grille began to close, then pleading, \"you said she isn't there—here, yes? Wait, please, Raiko-san. Tomorrow—sorry—tomorrow, Fujiko, yes?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sadly Raiko shook her head. \"Ah, so sorry, tomorrow is not possible either, it really distresses me to have to say so. I do hope you do understand, so sorry.\"\n\nTyrer was aghast. \"No tomorrow? Next day, yes?\"\n\nShe hesitated, smiled, made another little bow: \"Perhaps, Tairasan, perhaps, but, so sorry, I can promise nothing. Please ask Nakama-san to come here during the day and I will tell him. You understand? Send Nakama-san. Good night.\"\n\nBlankly Tyrer stared at the door, cursed bitterly, bunched his fists, wanting to smash something. It took him a moment to recover from his immense disappointment, then, despondently, he turned away." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga had been watching through a spy hole in the fence. When Tyrer vanished around the corner he went back along the meandering stone path through the garden, deep in thought. The garden was deceptively spacious with small bungalows, always with verandas, nestling in their own shrubbery.\n\nBut he avoided all of them, went into the shrubbery and knocked on a panel of fence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It swung open noiselessly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The servant bowed and he nodded and went along a path, heading for a similar dwelling. Most Inns or Houses had secret exits and hiding places, or connections with the one next door, and those that dared to cater to shishi paid special attention to security—for their own safety. This part of the House of the Three Carp was for very special guests with different cooking facilities, maids but the same courtesans. On the veranda he kicked off his geta—clogs—slid back the shoji." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What did he do?\" Ori asked.\n\n\"Meekly walked away. Weird.\" Hiraga shook his head in wonder and sat opposite him, nodded a brief acknowledgment of Fujiko's deep bow. Yesterday, after delivering Tyrer's letter—with Raiko's amused compliance he had hired Fujiko for tonight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"May I ask why, Hiraga-san?\" Raiko had said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Just to annoy Taira.\"\n\n\"Eeee, I think he left his virginity here, with Ako. Then he tried Mieko, then Fujiko. Fujiko made his eyes cross.\"\n\nHe had laughed with Raiko, liking her, but when he saw Fujiko he was bewildered that his enemy found the girl attractive. She was ordinary, hair ordinary, everything about her ordinary except her eyes that were unfashionably large." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nonetheless he hid his opinion and had complimented Raiko that she had acquired such a flower, who looked sixteen though she was thirty-one and fifteen years a courtesan.\n\n\"Thank you, Hiraga-san.\" Raiko had smiled. \"Yes, she's an asset, for some reason gai-jin like her. But please, don't forget the Taira is our client and that gai-jin are not like us. They tend to attach themselves to one lady only. Please encourage him, gai-jin are rich, and I hear he's an important official and may be here for some years.\"\n\n\"Sonno-joi.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That is for you to arrange. You take their heads, but promise me not here, meanwhile I take their wealth.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You will permit Ori to stay?\"\n\n\"Ori-san is a curious youth,\" she had said hesitantly, \"very strong, very angry, very unsettled—a tinderbox. I'm afraid of him. I can hide him for a day or two but... but please, curb him while he's my guest? There is trouble enough in the Willow World without seeking it.\"\n\n\"Yes. Have you any news of my cousin, Akimoto?\"\n\n\"He's safe at Hodogaya, Teahouse of the First Moon.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Send for him.\" Hiraga had slid a gold oban from his secret pocket. He noted how her eyes glinted. \"This will pay for any messenger, or expenses while Akimoto and Ori are here, and for Fujiko's services tomorrow of course.\"\n\n\"Of course.\" The coin, quite a generous payment, vanished into her sleeve." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ori-san may stay until I think it is time for him to move on, so sorry, then he leaves, you agree?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Next, so sorry, shishi, but I must tell you it is very dangerous for you here. This is being sent to every barrier.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raiko unfolded a woodcut poster, a portrait, about a foot square." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of him. The caption read: The Bakufu offers Two Koku reward for the head of this murdering Choshu ronin who goes under many aliases, one of which is Hiraga.\n\n\"Baka!\" Hiraga said through his teeth. \"Does it look like me? How is it possible? I've never had a portrait painted.\"\n\n\"Yes and no. Artists have long memories, Hiraga-san. One of the samurai at the fight perhaps? Unless someone closer to you is the betrayer. Bad also is that important people are seeking you. Anjo of course, but now Toranaga Yoshi.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was chilled, wondering if the courtesan Koiko was betrayed or was the betrayer. \"Why him?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raiko shrugged. \"He's the head of the snake, like it or not. Sonno-joi, Hiraga-san, but do not lead the Bakufu enemy here, I want my head on my shoulders.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "All night Hiraga had worried about the poster and what to do about it." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'their' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He accepted a refill of saké from Fujiko. \"This Taira amazes me, Ori.\"\n\n\"Why waste time on him? Kill him.\"\n\n\"Later, not now. Watching him and them, testing, trying to guess their reactions is like a game of chess where the rules keep changing constantly, it is fascinating—once you get over their stench.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tonight we should have done what I wanted to do: kill him and dump his body near the guard house and let them be blamed.\" Irritably Ori ran his right hand over the stubble already covering his shaven pate and face, his left shoulder bandaged and arm still in a sling. \"Tomorrow I'll be shaved clean again and feel more like a samurai again—Raiko has a barber she can trust, but clean or not, Hiraga, this forced laziness is sending me mad.\"\n\n\"And your shoulder?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The wound's clean. It itches but it's a good itch.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'would' exactly 3 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori lifted his arm about halfway. \"Can't go further but I force it a little every day. It would be difficult to use in a fight. Karma. But that gai-jin Taira, if we had killed him, there would have been no risk to us or the House, you said he was so secretive he wouldn't have told anyone he was here.\"\n\n\"Yes, but he might have, and that's what I do not understand. They are unpredictable. They keep changing their minds, they say one thing and then do the exact opposite but not with calculation, not like we do, not like us.\"\n\n\"Sonno-joi! Killing him would have driven the gai-jin mad. We should do it the next time he comes here.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, we will, but later—he's too valuable for the moment. He will reveal their secrets, how to humble them, kill them by the hundreds or thousands—after we have used them to humble and break the Bakufu.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga held out the cup again. Instantly Fujiko filled it, smiling at him. \"I was even in the office of the Leader of all the Ing'erish, within five paces of him. I'm in the center of gai-jin authority! If only I could speak their language better.\" He was much too cautious to reveal to Ori the true extent of his knowledge, or how he had persuaded Tyrer to smuggle him out—let alone in front of this girl." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she replenished their cups through the evening, smiling, totally attentive, never interrupting, she listened avidly though appearing not to, wanting to ask a hundred questions but much too well trained to do so." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just listen, smile and pretend to be dull-witted, only a toy,\" mama-sans drilled into all of them, \"and soon they will tell you all you want to know without prompting. Listen and smile and watch and flatter and make them happy, only then are they generous. Never forget happy equals gold, which is your only purpose and only security.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In Yedo,\" Hiraga was saying, \"this Taira was really quite brave, tonight a coward. Fujiko, what is he like in bed?\"\n\nSmiling, she hid her surprise that anyone could be so indelicate. \"Like any young man, Hiraga-san.\"\n\n\"Of course, but what is he like? Is he in proportion—tall man, tall spear?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry,\" she dropped her eyes, and made her voice humble, \"but Ladies of the Willow World are directed never to discuss a client with another, whoever he is.\"\n\n\"Our rules apply to gai-jin? Eh?\" Hiraga asked.\n\nOri chuckled. \"You will get nothing out of her, or any of them, I tried. Raiko-san came and scolded me for asking! 'Gai-jin or not, the ancient Yoshiwara rule applies,' she said. 'We can talk generalizations, but any client particularly—Baka-neh!' She was really quite angry.\"\n\nThe two men laughed but Fujiko saw Hiraga's eyes were not laughing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pretending not to notice, anxious to appease him and at the same time wondering how she would have to service him tonight, she said, \"So sorry, Hiraga-san, but my experience is little, with young or old or in the middle. But most experienced ladies say size does not guarantee satisfaction for him or for her, but that young men are always the best and most satisfying clients.\"\n\nShe laughed to herself at the well-worn lie. I would like to tell you the truth for once: that you young men are the worst clients, the most demanding, the least satisfying. You're all hopelessly impatient, you've plenty of vigor, require many entries, you've puddles of essence but little contentment afterwards—and rarely generous." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Worst of all, however much a girl tries not to, she can become enamored with one particular young man and that leads to even more misery, disaster and most times suicide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Old is twenty times better." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Some youths,\" she said, answering without answering, \"are incredibly shy, however well endowed.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Interesting. Ori, I still can't believe this Taira just meekly turned away.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori shrugged. \"Meek or not, he should be dead tonight and I would sleep better. What else could he do?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Everything. He should have kicked the door down—an appointment is an appointment and Raiko not having a substitute ready was a further insult.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The door and fence are too strong, even for us.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then he should have gone into the main street and got five or ten or twenty of his people and brought them back and smashed the fence down—he is an important official, the officers and all soldiers obeyed him at the Legation. That would certainly have made Raiko kowtow for a year or more and guaranteed he would have the service he wanted when he wanted—we might have had to run off too. That is what I would have done if I were an important official like him.\" Hiraga smiled and Fujiko suppressed a shiver. \"It's a matter of face. Yet they understand face very well. They would have defended their stupid Legation to the last man, then the fleet would have laid waste Yedo.\"\n\n\"Isn't that what we want?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\" Hiraga laughed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But not when you are weaponless and grovelling like a gardener—I really felt naked!\" Again a refill. Hiraga looked at her. Ordinarily, even though the girl of the evening was not particularly attractive, his normal virility and the saké would arouse him. Tonight was different. This was the gai-jin Yoshiwara, she had bedded them so was tainted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps Ori would like her, he thought, and smiled back at her for face. \"Order some food, eh, Fujiko? The best the House can provide.\"\n\n\"At once, Hiraga-san.\" She hurried away.\n\n\"Listen, Ori,\" Hiraga whispered so no one could overhear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There's great danger here.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He took out the folded poster." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori was shocked. \"Two koku? That will tempt anyone. It could be you, not exactly, but a Barrier guard might stop you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Raiko said the same.\"\n\nOri looked up at him. \"Joun was an artist, a good one.\"\n\n\"I'd thought of that, and I've been wondering how they caught him and broke him. He knows many shishi secrets, knows Katsumata's planning to intercept the Shōgun.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Disgusting, allowing himself to be caught alive. It is obvious we have been infiltrated.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori handed the picture back. \"Two koku would tempt anyone, even the most zealous mama-san.\"\n\n\"I thought of that too.\"\n\n\"Grow a beard, Hiraga, or mustache, that would help.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, that would help.\" Hiraga was glad that Ori was back in his head again, his counsel always valuable. \"A strange feeling to know that this is out there.\"\n\nOri broke the silence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In a day or two, soon as I can—I am stronger every day—I will go to Kyōto and join Katsumata to warn him about Joun. He should be warned.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, good idea, very good.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I am safe amongst the gai-jin, safer there than anywhere—so long as I'm not betrayed. Akimoto's at Hodogaya, I have sent for him, then we can decide.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good. You will be safer to try for Kyōto at once, before these pictures are sent throughout the Tokaidō.\"\n\n\"No. Taira is too good an opportunity to miss. I will cache swords there in case.\"\n\n\"Get a revolver, less obvious.\" Ori put his right hand inside his yukata, moving it away from his shoulder, and scratched the bandage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga was shocked to see the little gold cross on the thin gold chain around his neck. \"Why wear that?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori shrugged. \"It amuses me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Get rid of it, Ori—it ties you to the Tokaidō killing, Shorin and her. The cross is an unnecessary danger.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Many samurai are Christian.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, but she could identify that cross. It is insane to take such a risk. If you want to wear one get another.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a pause Ori said, \"This one amuses me.\"\n\nHiraga saw the inflexibility, cursed him inwardly but decided it was his duty to protect the shishi movement, protect sonno-joi and now was the time. \"Take-it-off!\"\n\nThe blood soared into Ori's face. His half smile did not change but he knew he was called." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His choice was simple: refuse and die, or obey.\n\nA mosquito buzzed around his face. He disregarded it, not wanting to make a sudden movement. Slowly his right hand pulled the chain away from his neck, breaking it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The cross and chain vanished into his sleeve pocket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he placed both hands on the tatami and bowed low. \"You are right, Hiraga-san, it was an unnecessary danger. Please accept my apologies.\"\n\nSilently Hiraga bowed back. Only then did he relax and Ori straighten." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both men knew their relationship had changed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Permanently. They had not become enemies, just were no longer friends, allies always, but never friends again. Ever. As Ori picked up his cup and raised it, toasting him, he was pleased to find his inner rage so controlled that his fingers did not shake. \"Thank you.\"\n\nHiraga drank with him, leaned over and poured for both of them. \"Now Sumomo. Please tell me about her.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I remember almost nothing.\" Ori opened his fan and wafted the mosquito away. \"The mama-san Noriko told me Sumomo arrived like a spirit with me on a stretcher, told her almost nothing except that a gai-jin doctor had cut me open and sewed me up again. She paid half Shorin's debts and persuaded her to hide me. During the waiting Sumomo spoke hardly at all after asking about Shorin, what had happened to him. When the messenger returned from Yedo with your message she left for Shimonoseki at once. The only news she gave was that Satsuma is mobilizing for war, and your Choshu batteries had again fired on the gai-jin ships in the Straits, turning them back.\"\n\n\"Good. You told her everything about Shorin?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. She asked me seriously and then, after I told her she said she would be revenged.\"\n\n\"Did she leave any message or letter with the mama-san?\"\n\nOri shrugged. \"She left nothing with me.\"\n\nPerhaps Noriko has one, Hiraga thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never mind, that can wait. \"She looked well?\"\n\n\"Yes. I owe her my life.\"\n\n\"Yes. One day she will want to collect that debt.\"\n\n\"Repaying her I repay you and honor sonno-joi.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "They sat in silence, each wondering what the other was thinking, really thinking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga smiled suddenly. \"Tonight in the Settlement there was a big celebration, vile music and much drinking, it's their custom when a man agrees to marry.\" He quaffed his cup. \"This saké is good. One of the merchants—the gai-jin you cut at the Tokaidō—is going to marry that woman.\"\n\nOri was dumbfounded. \"The woman of the cross? She's here?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I saw her tonight.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So!\" Ori muttered as though to himself, then finished his saké and poured for both of them. A little wine spilled unnoticed on the tray. \"She's to be married? When?\"\n\nHiraga shrugged. \"I don't know. I saw him and her together tonight, he walks with two canes like a cripple—your blow wounded him severely, Ori.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good. And the... the woman, what was she like?\"\n\nHiraga laughed. \"Outlandish, Ori, total buffoonery.\" He described her crinoline. And her hairstyle. And got up and parodied her gait." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon both men were almost rolling on the tatamis with laughter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"... breasts out to here, depraved! Just before I came here I peered in a window. Men clutched her openly, she and a man clutched each other, twirling in a sort of dance in front of everyone to these horrid-sounding instruments, you couldn't call it music! kicking up her skirts so you could see halfway up, and frilly white pants to the ankles. I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself but she went from man to man like a one-sen whore and they all cheered her. The fool who's going to marry her, he just sat in a chair and beamed, imagine that!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He poured but the bottle was empty. \"Saké!\"\n\nAt once the door opened, a maid came in on her knees with two new flasks, poured and scuttled away. He belched, the saké getting to him. \"They acted like beasts. Without their cannon and ships they are beyond contempt.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori glanced out of the window, towards the sea." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What is it?\" Hiraga was suddenly on guard. \"Danger?\"\n\n\"No, no, it was nothing.\"\n\nHiraga frowned uneasily, remembering how sensitive Ori was to outside emanations. \"Do you have swords here?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. Raiko guards them for me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I hate not having swords in my belt.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a time they drank in silence and then the food arrived, small dishes of broiled fish, rice, sushi and sashimi, and a Portuguese dish called tempura—fish and vegetables dipped in rice flour and deep fried." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before the Portuguese arrived about a.d. 1550, the first Europeans to appear off their shores, Japanese did not know the frying technique.\n\nWhen they were replete, they sent for Raiko and complimented her, refused the entertainment services of a geisha, so she bowed and left them. \"You can go, Fujiko. Tomorrow, I will be here sometime after sunset.\"\n\n\"Yes, Hiraga-san.\" Fujiko bowed very low, content to be dismissed without further work as Raiko had already told her her fee was generous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you for honoring me.\"\n\n\"Of course, nothing that you hear or see will ever be mentioned to the Taira or any gai-jin or anyone.\"\n\nHer head jerked up in shock. \"Of course not, Hiraga-sama.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she saw his eyes her heart lurched. \"Of course not,\" she repeated, her voice barely audible, bowed her forehead to the tatami and, deeply frightened, left them.\n\n\"Ori, we take a risk with that woman listening.\"\n\n\"With any of them. But she would never dare, nor the others.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori used his fan against the night insects. \"Before we leave we will agree on a price with Raiko to see Fujiko is placed in a low-grade house where she will be too busy to make mischief and be well away from all gai-jin, and Bakufu.\"\n\n\"Good. That is good advice. It may be expensive, Raiko said Fujiko is extremely popular with gai-jin for some reason.\"\n\n\"Fujiko?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. Strange, neh,? Raiko says their ways are so different from ours.\" Hiraga saw Ori's smile twist. \"What?\"\n\n\"Nothing. We can talk more tomorrow.\"\n\nHiraga nodded, drained the last cup, then got up, stripped off the starched yukata that all Houses and Inns habitually supplied their clients, and dressed again in the most ordinary kimono of a villager, rough turban and coolie straw hat, then shouldered the empty delivery basket." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Are you safe like that?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'passes' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, so long as I do not have to uncover, and I've these.\" Hiraga showed the two passes Tyrer had given him, one for Japanese, one for English. \"Guards on the gate and at the bridge are alert, and soldiers patrol the Settlement at night. There's no curfew but Taira warned me to be careful.\"\n\nThoughtfully Ori handed the passes back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He tucked them in his sleeve. \"Good night, Ori.\"\n\n\"Yes, good night, Hiraga-san.\" Ori looked up at him strangely. \"I would like to know where the woman lives.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga's eyes narrowed. \"So?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. I would like to know where. Exactly.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I can find out, probably. And then?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The silence concentrated. Ori was thinking, I'm not sure tonight, I wish I was, but every time I let my mind free I remember that night and my never-ending surge within her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I had killed her then that would have ended it, but knowing she's alive I'm haunted. She haunts me." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'she's' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's stupid, stupid but I'm bewitched. She's evil, disgusting, I know it, but still I'm bewitched and I'm sure that as long as she's alive she will always haunt me.\n\n\"And then?\" Hiraga said again.\n\nOri had kept all his thoughts off his face. He looked back at him levelly and shrugged." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André Poncin blinked. \"You're pregnant?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" she said softly. \"You see th—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's wonderful, that makes everything perfect!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he burst out, his shock turning into a huge beam, because Struan, the British gentleman, had wronged an innocent lady, and now could not avoid an early marriage and remain a gentleman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Madam, may I congratulate y—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hush, André, no you can't and not so loud, walls have ears, particularly Legations, no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she whispered, feeling out of herself, astounded that her voice remained so calm and she felt so calm and could tell him so easily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You see, unfortunately, the father is not Monsieur Struan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His smile vanished and then came back." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You're joking of course, but why the jo—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just listen, please.\" Angelique moved her chair closer to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I was raped in Kanagawa...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stared at her, dumbfounded, as she told him what she thought had happened to her, what she had decided to do, how she had hidden the horror ever since." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"My God, poor Angelique, poor thing, how terrible for you,\" was all he managed to mutter, deeply shocked, while another piece of the puzzle fell into place." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William, Seratard and Struan had decided to restrict news about Dr. Hoag's operation at Kanagawa to as few people as possible—keeping it particularly from Angelique, both doctors advising that to be medically wise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why agitate her unnecessarily? She's upset enough about the Tokaidō affair.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No reason yet to tell her, André thought uneasily, the irony rocking him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He took her hand and caressed it, forcing himself to push away his own worries and concentrate on her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seeing her there, sitting beside him in his office, so serene and demure, clear eyes and picture of innocence, only a few hours ago the belle of the best ball Yokohama had ever had, gave her story an air of total unreality." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This really happened? Really?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She raised her hand as though taking an oath." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I swear it, by God.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now her hands were folded in her lap." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pale yellow hooped day dress, tiny orange bonnet and umbrella." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bewildered, he shook his head. \"Seems impossible.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Throughout his adult years he had been part of many such man-woman tragedies: put into some by his superiors, stumbling into a few, precipitating many, and using most if not all for the betterment of his Cause: for France—the Revolution, Liberté Fraternité Egalité, or Emperor Louis Napoleon, whoever or whatever the current vogue—and for himself, first." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why not? he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What has France done for me, what will she do for me? Nothing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But this Angelique, she's either going to fall apart any moment—her serenity's unreal—or she's like some women I've known, born bad who twist truth brilliantly for their own purposes, or like some who have been pushed over the brink by terror to become a calculating, coldblooded woman beyond her years. \"What?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I need to remove the problem, André.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You mean abortion? You're Catholic!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So are you. This is a matter between me and God.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about confession? You have to be confessed. This Sunday you must go an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That is a matter between me and a priest, and then God. The problem must be removed first.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That is against God's law and man's law.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And has been done throughout the centuries since before the Flood.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An edge crept into her voice." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Do you confess everything? Adultery is also against 'God's law,' isn't it? Killing's against all law too. Isn't it?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Who says I've killed anyone?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No one, but it's more than likely you have, or caused deaths. These are violent times. André, I need your help.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You risk eternal damnation.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, I've agonized over that with lakes of tears, she thought grimly, keeping her eyes innocent, hating him and that she had to trust him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This morning she had awakened early and lay there thinking, reconsidering her plan, and came to realize of a sudden that she should hate all men." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Men cause all our problems, fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, and priests—priests the worst of all men, lots of them notorious fornicators and deviates, liars, who use the Church for their own rotten purposes, though it is true a few are saints." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Priests and other men control our world and ruin it for women." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hate them all—except Malcolm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't hate him, not yet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't know if I truly love him, I don't know what love is, but I like him more than any man I've ever known, and I understand him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As to the rest, thank God my eyes are open at last!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was looking at André, trustful and begging." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Damn you that I have to put my life in thrall to you, but thank God I see through you now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm and Jamie are right, all you want is to dominate Struan's or cause its downfall." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Damnation that I have to trust any man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If only I were in Paris, or even Hong Kong, there are dozens of women I could discreetly ask for the necessary help but none here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Those two hags? Impossible!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "They clearly hate me and are enemy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She allowed a few tears to appear. \"Please help me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sighed. \"I will talk to Babcott this morn—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Are you mad? Of course we dare not involve him. Or Hoag. No, André, I've thought it all out very carefully. Neither of them. We must find someone else. A madam.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He gaped at her again, stunned by the calm voice and logic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You mean a mama-san?\" he stuttered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What's that?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh... that's the woman, the Japanese woman who... who runs the local whorehouses, contracts for the services of the girls, arranges prices, allocates girls. And so on.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her brow creased. \"I hadn't thought of one of them. I did hear there's a House down the road.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"My God! You mean Naughty Nellie's... in Drunk Town? I wouldn't go there for a thousand louis.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But isn't the house run by Mrs. Fortheringill's sister? The famous Mrs. Fortheringill of Hong Kong?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How'd you know about her?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, my God, André, am I a foolish and bigoted Englishwoman?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Frequency requirement: 'about' - 2 occurrence(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she said testily. \"Every European female in Hong Kong knows about Mrs. Fortheringill's Establishment for Young Ladies, though they pretend not to and never talk openly about it, or that all but the most stupid know their men visit Chinese Houses, or have Oriental mistresses. Such hypocrisy. Even you would be astonished to know what ladies discuss in the privacy of their boudoirs, or when there are no men around. In Hong Kong I heard her sister opened the House here.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's not the same, Angelique, it caters to seamen, drunks, remittance men—the dregs. Naughty Nellie isn't her sister, she just claims to be, probably just pays some squeeze for the use of the name.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh! Then where do you go? For 'entertainment'?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Yoshiwara,\" he said, and explained, astounded with this conversation and that he, too, could be so open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Do you have a special place, a special House? One where you're on good terms with the mama-san?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Excellent. Go to your mama-san tonight and get whatever drink they use.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"My God, André, be sensible, be serious! This is serious and unless we can solve the problem I will never be chatelaine of the Noble House, so will never be able to assist... certain interests.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She saw that this hit the mark and was further pleased with herself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Go there tonight and ask her for it. Don't ask your girl or a girl for it, they probably won't know. Ask the patronne, the mama-san. You can say that 'the girl' is overdue.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't know if they have such a medicine.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smiled benignly. \"Don't be silly, André, of course they have, they must have.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her right hand began straightening the fingers of her left-hand glove." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Once this problem is out of the way, everything will be wonderful, we'll be married at Christmas. By the way, I decided it would be better to move out of the Struan suite until we're married—now that Monsieur Struan is gaining strength every day. I'll be moving back to the Legation this afternoon.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Is that wise? Better to stay close to him.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Normally, yes. Except there are proprieties, but more important, I'm sure the medicine will not make me feel pleasant for a day or two. As soon as that's over I'll decide if I should go back. I know I can rely on you, my friend.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stood up. \"The same time tomorrow?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If I've nothing I'll send word to let you know.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No. Better we meet here at noon. I know I can rely on you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smiled her nicest smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He tingled, both because of the smile and because, whatever happened now, she was chained to him forever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Those characters,\" he said, \"the ones written on the sheet, do you remember them?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" she said, surprised by the non sequitur. \"Why?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Could you draw them for me? I might recognize them, they might have a meaning.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They were on the counterpane, not the sheet. In—in his blood.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She took a deep breath and reached over and took the pen and dipped it in the ink." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"One thing I forgot to tell you. When I woke up, the little cross I'd worn since a child had vanished. I searched everywhere but it had gone.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He stole it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I presume so. But nothing else. There was some jewelry but that was not touched. The pieces were not too valuable but worth more than the cross.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The thought of her lying there in that bed, inert, the nightdress slit from neck to hem, the rapist's hand pulling away the chain, moonlight glinting on the cross, before or after, spreading her, rapidly became real and erotic and throbbed him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His eyes flowed over her as she bent over the desk, oblivious of his lust." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There,\" she said, and handed him the paper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stared at it, the sunlight glinting on the gold signet ring he always wore." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The characters did not relate in any way to anything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sorry, they mean nothing, don't even look Chinese—Chinese or Japanese the writing's the same.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At a sudden thought he inverted the paper and gasped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tokaidō—that's what they mean!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The color went out of her face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You just copied them upside down. Tokaidō ties everything together! He wanted you to know, wanted the whole Settlement to know and we would have, if you'd told anyone what had happened! But why?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shakily her fingers went to her temples." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I—I don't know. Perhaps... I don't know. He—he must be dead by now, Monsieur Struan shot him. Surely he must be dead.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André hesitated uneasily, weighing the reasons for and against." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Since we share so many secrets, and clearly you know how to keep one, sorry, but now another is necessary.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He told her about Hoag and the operation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It wasn't Hoag's fault, he had no way of knowing. It's ironic, both doctors advised against telling you, to save you anguish.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's because of Babcott and his opiate that I am where I am,\" she muttered, her voice chilling him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The man's alive then?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We don't know. Hoag didn't give him much of a chance. Why would that devil want his evil known, Angelique?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Are there any other secrets about this horror that you know and I don't?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No. Why should he want everyone to know? Bravado?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a long time she stood staring at what she had drawn." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Motionless except for her breast, which rose and fell with the regularity of her breathing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, without another word she walked out." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The door closed quietly.\n\nHe shook his head in wonder, stared back at the paper." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer was in the small bungalow adjoining the British Legation that he shared with Babcott, practicing calligraphy with Nakama, the name by which he knew Hiraga. \"Please give me the Japanese for: today, tomorrow, the day after, next week, next year, the days of the week and the months of the year.\"\n\n\"Yes, Tairasan.\" Carefully, Hiraga said a Japanese word, watched as Tyrer wrote it phonetically in roman letters. Then Hiraga wrote the characters in the space provided and again watched while Tyrer copied them. \"You good student. A'ways use same order for strokes, easy, then no forget.\"\n\n\"Yes, I'm beginning to understand. Thank you, you're very helpful,\" Tyrer replied pleasantly, enjoying writing and reading and learning—and teaching him in return, noticing that Nakama was highly intelligent and a quick study. He worked through the list with him, and when he was satisfied he said, \"Good. Thank you. Now please go to Raiko-san and confirm my appointment for tomorrow.\"\n\n\"'Conf'rm,' p'rease?\"\n\n\"Make sure of. Make sure my appointment is certain.\"\n\n\"Ah, understand.\" Hiraga rubbed his chin, already dark with an overnight stubble." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I go now conf'rm.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'll be back after lunch. Please be here, then we can practice conversation and you can tell me more about Japan. How do I say that in Japanese?\" Hiraga gave him the words. Tyrer wrote them phonetically in an exercise book, now crammed with words and phrases, repeated them several times until satisfied. He was about to dismiss him, then, on a sudden thought said, \"What's a 'ronin'?\"\n\nHiraga thought a moment, then explained as simply as he could. But not about shishi.\n\n\"Then you're a ronin, outlawed?\"\n\n\"Hai.\"\n\nThoughtfully Tyrer thanked him and let him go. He stifled a yawn." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Last night he had slept badly, his world upside down at Raiko's unexpected rejection.\n\nDamn Raiko, damn Fujiko, he thought, putting on his top hat, preparing to walk down High Street to the Club for tiffin lunch. Damn learning Japanese and damn everything, my head aches and I'll never, never, never learn this dreadfully complicated language. \"Don't be ridiculous,\" he said aloud. Of course you will, you've got Nakama and André, two very good teachers, tonight you'll have a good supper, a bottle of champagne with someone jolly, and so to bed. And don't damn Fujiko, soon you'll sleep with her again. Oh, God, I hope so!\n\nThe day was fair and the bay crowded with ships. Traders were converging on the Club. \"Oh, hello, André! Good to see you, would you care to join me for lunch?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you, no.\" Poncin did not stop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's up? You all right?\"\n\n\"Nothing's up. Some other time.\"\n\n\"Tomorrow?\" Not like André to be so abrupt. Damn, I wanted to ask him what I should—\n\n\"I'll join you, Phillip, if I may,\" McFay said.\n\n\"Of course, Jamie. You look hung over, old chap.\"\n\n\"I am. You look the same. That was some party.\"\n\n\"Yes. How's Malcolm?\"\n\n\"Not so hot. He's one of the things I wanted to talk about.\" They found a table, the room smoke-filled, airless and crowded, everyone as usual in frock coats." }, { "from": "system", "value": "CONSTRAINT: Include 'every' 2 time(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were sitting at a corner table, Chinese servants carrying trays of roast beef, chicken pies, fish pies, fish soup, Cornish pasties, Yorkshire puddings, salt pork, curries and bowls of rice for the old China Hands, plus whisky, rum, gin, porter, champagne, red and white wine and tankards of beer. Fly swats laid beside every place.\n\nMcFay used the fly whisk. \"Wanted to ask you to talk to Malcolm, not at my suggestion, tell him it'd be a good idea to go back to Hong Kong as soon as possible.\"\n\n\"But Jamie, I'm sure he will, without my saying so. He doesn't listen to me, why should he? What's up?\"\n\n\"His mother. I'm afraid now that's no secret. Don't say anything but she writes by every mail ordering me to order him back—there's not a bloody thing I can do, he just won't listen and when the news of the party and his formal engagement reaches Hong Kong...\" McFay rolled his eyes. \"Ayeeyah! The shit will spread from here to Yedo.\"\n\nIn spite of McFay's seriousness Tyrer laughed. \"It already has, it's stinky poo like never before. The Legation garden's knee-deep in a new dressing of prime.\"\n\n\"Oh?\" The Scot frowned and sniffed the air." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hadn't noticed. How's the curry?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he asked a neighbor.\n\n\"Hot, Jamie.\" The man, Lunkchurch, spat a piece of chicken bone into the floor sawdust. \"I'm on seconds.\"\n\nTyrer beckoned one of the waiters brushing past but the toothy youth deliberately avoided seeing him.\n\n\"Hey, dew neh loh moh, waiter!\" McFay shouted irritably. \"Curry plenty quick, heya!\"\n\nThere was a shout of laughter and much jeering and catcalls at the Chinese curse words from the traders and merchants, and sour looks from the padre of the Highland Battalion who was lunching expansively with his Church of England counterpart from the Dragoons, and their own pastor.\n\nA plate of blood-rare roast beef was plunked down vigorously in front of McFay. \"Curry, Mass'er, plenty werry quick quick, heya?\" the young servant said, beaming.\n\nExasperated, McFay shoved the plate back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This's roast beef, for God's sake! Curry, for Christ's sake, fetch curry!\"\n\n\"I'll have the chicken pie,\" Tyrer said hastily.\n\nGrumbling, the servant went back to the kitchen and once inside the door bellowed with laughter amidst the pandemonium there. \"Noble House 'Fay blew up like a barrel of fireworks when I shoved roast beef under his bulbous nose, pretending I thought it was curry. Ayeeyah,\" he said, holding his stomach with laughter, \"I almost shat. Baiting foreign devils is more fun than fornication!\"\n\nOthers laughed with him until the Head Cook reached over and belted him around the face. \"Listen, you dirty little fornicator—and the rest of you—don't bait Noble House foreign devils until Noble House Chen says it is all right. Now take Noble House 'Fay his curry quickly and don't spit in it or I'll feed you your testicles in batter.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah, spitting in foreign devil food is quite ordinary, Honorable Chief Cook,\" the youth muttered, his head almost off his shoulders, then he picked up a plate of chicken pie and rushed to obey.\n\nThe plate of curry and bowl of rice banged on the table in front of McFay. \"Curry, Mass'er, you wan' heya never mind.\" The youth hurried away, cursing inwardly, head aching, but still content for though he had not dared to disobey the Head Cook, he had kept his dirty thumb in the curry all the way from the kitchen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Rude bastard,\" Jamie said." }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"Then why're you almost purple, for goodness' sake? You're talking to me, Noble House McFay! Come on, Phillip, how do you expect to keep that secret here? You were overheard.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ten dollars to a busted flush the bugger spat in it bringing it here.\"\n\n\"If you're so sure, why shout at him?\" Tyrer began cutting the Melton Mowbray-type pie with its thick crust.\n\n\"He needs it, they all need it, and a good kick in the backside as well.\" With gusto McFay began tucking into the yellowish, gruel-like chicken and potato curry, globules of fat swimming on the surface. \"Next, I hear you smuggled a samurai out of Yedo who speaks some English.\"\n\nTyrer almost choked on a piece of chicken. \"Rubbish!\"\n\n\"Then why're you almost purple, for goodness' sake? You're talking to me, Noble House McFay! Come on, Phillip, how do you expect to keep that secret here? You were overheard.\" Perspiration dotted his brow from the heat of the curry, from time to time waving the flies away. \"This's hot enough to fry your balls off—good though. You want to try some?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, thanks.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: 'protection' should appear 2 times in total" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Happily McFay continued to eat. Then, between mouthfuls, his voice hardened though he still spoke confidentially. \"Unless you talk to me openly about him, old chap, in confidence—my word on it—and share everything, all his info, I'll make an announcement here and now—to him.\" His spoon pointed at Nettlesmith, editor of the Yokohama Guardian, who was already watching them interestedly. A splatter of curry fell on the tablecloth. \"If Wee Willie reads about your secret first in the paper, he'll bust a gut like you've never seen.\"\n\nAll Tyrer's hunger had vanished. Queasily he said, \"I... it's true we helped a dissident escape from Yedo. That's all I can say. Now he's under H.M.'s protection for the moment. Sorry, can't say any more, Official Secrets.\"\n\nMcFay eyed him shrewdly. \"Her Britannic Majesty's protection, eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, sorry. Closed mouth catchee no flies, can't say any more. Secrets of State.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Interesting.\" McFay finished the plate and shouted for a second helping. \"But in return I won't tell a soul.\"\n\n\"Sorry, I'm sworn to secrecy.\" Tyrer was sweating too, a way of life in Asia except during the winter and spring months, and also because his secret was known. Even so, he was pleased with the way he was handling Jamie, undoubtedly the most important of the Yokohama traders. \"I'm sure you understand.\"\n\nMcFay nodded pleasantly, concentrating on his curry. \"I understand very well, old chap. The very second I'm finished, Nettlesmith gets the exclusive.\"\n\n\"You wouldn't dare!\" Tyrer was shocked. \"State s—\"\n\n\"Balderdash on State secrets,\" McFay hissed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"First, I don't believe you; second, even if it was we've the right to know, we're the State, by God, not a bunch of diplomat scallywags who can't fart their way out of an empty bag!\"\n\n\"Now look here...\"\n\n\"I'm looking. Share, Phillip, or read about it in the afternoon edition.\" McFay's beam was seraphic as he sopped up the last of the gravy with a final hunk of bread, and consumed it. He belched and pushed his chair away from the table and began to get up. \"On your own head.\"\n\n\"Wait.\"\n\n\"Everything? You agree to tell me everything?\"\n\nNumbly Tyrer nodded. \"If you swear to keep it secret.\"\n\n\"Good, but not here. My office's safer. Come on.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he passed Nettlesmith he said, \"What's new, Gabriel?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Read the afternoon edition, Jamie. War soon in Europe, terrible in America, war brewing here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Just the usual. Well, see y—\"\n\n\"Afternoon, Mr. Tyrer.\" Nettlesmith's canny eyes washed over him as he scratched thoughtfully then put his attention to McFay again. \"I've an advance copy of the last chapter of Great Expectations.\"\n\nJamie shuddered to a stop, Phillip too. \"I don't believe it, by God!\"\n\n\"Ten dollars and the promise of an exclusive.\"\n\n\"What exclusive?\"\n\n\"When you have one. I'll trust you.\" Again the shrewd eyes looked at Tyrer who tried not to wince.\n\n\"This afternoon, Gabriel? Without fail?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, for one hour, so you can't copy it—it's my exclusive. It cost me almost every favor I have in Fleet Street to acquire—\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To steal. Two dollars?\"\n\n\"Eight, but your hour's after Norbert's.\"\n\n\"My last offer, eight—and I read it first?\"\n\n\"Plus the exclusive? Good. You're a gentleman and a scholar, Jamie. I'll be in your office at three.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Through his open window Tyrer heard the ship's bell at the Harbor Master's office sound eight bells." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His feet were propped on his desk, and he was dozing, his afternoon calligraphy exercises forgotten." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No need to look at the mantelpiece clock. His brain told him it was 4:00 p.m. Now aboard ships would be the first afternoon dogwatch, a two-hour period lasting from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., then the second from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., thence to the normal four-hour periods until tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Marlowe had explained that dogwatches had been invented to allow crews to be rotated.\n\nHe yawned and opened his eyes, thinking, Not much more than half a year ago, I'd never even heard of a dogwatch or been on a warship and now I'm telling time by ship's bells as easy as with a timepiece.\n\nHis mantelpiece clock chimed four. Exactly correct. In half an hour I'm to see Sir William. The Swiss can certainly make chronometers, better than us. Where the devil's Nakama? Has he run off? He should have been back hours ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What the devil does Sir William want? Hope to God he hasn't heard about my secret. Hope he just wants more dispatches copied. Blast it that my writing's the best in the Legation, I'm supposed to be a translator, not a clerk! Damn, damn, damn!\n\nHe got up wearily, tidied his work and began to wash his hands in the basin, getting the ink off his fingers. A knock. \"Come in.\"\n\nBehind Hiraga was a Redcoat sergeant and a soldier, both with bayoneted rifles and both angry. Hiraga was bruised, dishevelled, grey with rage and almost naked, hat gone, turban gone, his villager kimono in shreds. The Sergeant shoved him forward, bayonet ready, and saluted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We caught 'im climbing in over the fence, sir. We 'ad the devil of a time getting 'im nice and quiet. 'E's got a pass, signed by you. Is it real?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, it is.\" Aghast, Tyrer came forward. \"He's a guest here, Sergeant, a guest of Sir William's, and me. He's a Japanese teacher.\"\n\n\"A teacher, eh?\" the Sergeant said grimly. \"Well, tell the bugger teachers don't climb fences, don't try to run off, don't 'ave samurai 'aircuts, don't frighten people or fight like a bag full of tomcats—I've one man wiv 'is arm broke and another wiv a busted nose. Next time we catch 'im at it, we won't be so careful.\" Both soldiers stomped off.\n\nTyrer closed the door, rushed to the sideboard and brought some water back. \"Here.\"\n\nHiraga shook his head, choked with rage." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please. Would you like saké or beer?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Iyé.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please... well, sit down and tell me what happened.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga began pouring out an explanation in Japanese.\n\n\"Gomen nasai, Ing'erish dozo.\" Sorry, English please.\n\nWith an effort, Hiraga changed to English and with long, seething pauses between words he said, \"Many guard at Gate and Bridge. I go through swamp, go through water, over fence. These so'dier see me. I stop, bow, reach for pass, they throw to ground. Fight, but too many.\" Then he followed with another searing flood of Japanese venom and promises of revenge.\n\nWhen the paroxysm was spent, Tyrer said, \"Sorry, but it's your own fault...\" He darted back involuntarily as Hiraga whirled on him. \"Stop it!\" he said angrily. \"The soldier was right. Samurai frighten people! Sir William told you to be careful, so did I, we asked you to be careful.\"\n\n\"I was being polite, only doing what was correct!\" Hiraga said in angry Japanese." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Those ill-mannered apes fell on me, I was reaching for the pass, it was difficult to find. Apes, I'll kill them all!\"\n\nTyrer's heart was pounding and the sweet sick taste of fear was in his mouth. \"Listen, we must solve this together, quickly. When Sir William hears about this he may throw you out of the Settlement! You and I must solve this, understand?\"\n\n\"Iyé! What is 'so'rve,' please?\"\n\nTyrer was thankful to hear the \"please\" and held on to his fright. This fellow's clearly as dangerous and as violent and hotheaded as any samurai in Japan. Thank God he's not armed. \"'Solve' means to arrive at an understanding. We must solve this problem, we must, you and I, how to have you live here safely. You understand?\"\n\n\"'Hai. So desu ka! Wakarimasu. Tairasan me we so'rve prob'rem.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga curbed his rage. \"P'rease, what sugg'st? Pass no good for so'dier. Men who see me, hate. How so'rve this matter?\"\n\n\"First... first there's a good old English custom. Whenever we have to solve a serious problem, we have tea.\"\n\nHiraga stared at him blankly. Tyrer rang a bell and ordered tea from Chen, the Number One Boy who eyed Hiraga suspiciously, an ugly chopper concealed behind his back.\n\nWhile they waited Tyrer sat back in his chair and solemnly stared out of the window, desperately wanting the other man to tell him about Fujiko but too well mannered to ask directly such a leading question. Damn the fellow, he was thinking, he should volunteer the info, knowing I must be anxious as hell and not make me bloody wait. Got to teach him English ways, got to teach him not to fly off the handle, the soldiers were quite right. Got to make an English gentleman out of him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But how? Then there's bloody Jamie, who's too damned clever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After lunch he had gone with McFay to his office, was pressed to have a small brandy and then, within minutes, he found that he had told him everything." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Och, Phillip, you're brilliant,\" McFay had told him with genuine enthusiasm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That laddie will be a veritable gold mine if asked the right questions. Did he say where he was from?\"\n\n\"Choshu, I think that's what he said.\"\n\n\"I'd like to talk to him—privately.\"\n\n\"If he talks to you then others are bound to find out and then the news will be... will be out everywhere.\"\n\n\"If I know, Norbert knows, and I'll bet the Bakufu knows—they're no fools. Sorry, but there are no secrets here, how many times must I remind you?\"\n\n\"All right, I'll ask him. But only if I'm present when you see him.\"\n\n\"Now, that's not really necessary, Phillip, you've got so much to do. I would'na want to waste your time.\"\n\n\"Yes or no!\"\n\nMcFay sighed. \"You're a hard man, Phillip. All right.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And if I also get to read the last chapter, without charge, say tomorrow. You arrange it with Nettlesmith.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sharply, McFay said, \"If I have to pay the astounding sum of eight dollars, you have to contribute as well.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then no interview, and I'll inform Sir William.\" He smiled to himself remembering the sour look on McFay's face and then, \"Cha, Mass'er, plenty quick quick\" interrupted his thoughts, bringing him back to Nakama. Chen put down the tray, no longer carrying the chopper, but it was close at hand, outside the door.\n\nGravely Tyrer poured for both of them, added milk and sugar and sipped the scalding, iron black brew with relish. \"That's better.\"\n\nHiraga imitated him. It took all of his willpower not to cry out from the heat, and to hold in what was the foulest-tasting liquid he had ever had in his life.\n\n\"Good, eh?\" Tyrer said with a beam, finishing his cup. \"Some more?\"\n\n\"No, no, thank you. Ing'erish custom, yes?\"\n\n\"English and American, yes, not French. The French—\" Tyrer shrugged \"—they've no taste.\"\n\n\"Ah, so ka?\" Hiraga had noticed the slight sneer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"French not same as Ing'erish?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<EMBED THIS>>: \"Oh, so? Ing'erish and French warred hav?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he asked with a pretended innocence, his fury compartmentalized for later.\n\n\"My goodness me, no, not like them at all. They're on the Continent, we're an island nation like you. Different customs, different foods, government, everything, and of course France's a minor power compared to Britain.\" Tyrer stirred in another spoon of sugar, pleased with himself that the man's rage seemed to have dissipated. \"Very different.\"\n\n\"Oh, so? Ing'erish and French warred hav?\"\n\nTyrer laughed. \"Dozens of times over the centuries, and allies in other wars—we were allies in the last conflict.\" He told him briefly about the Crimea, then about Napoleon Bonaparte, the French revolution, and the present Emperor Louis Napoleon. \"He's Bonaparte's nephew, an absolute buffoon. Bonaparte wasn't, but one of the most evil men ever born, he was responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. But for Wellington and Nelson and our troops he would have ruled the world. Are you understanding all this?\"\n\nHiraga nodded. \"No o'rr word, but unn'erstan'.\" But he had caught the gist and this turned his head upside down, though he could not fathom why a great general should be considered evil." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/insert_quote: \"That's good. Oh, by the way, did you see Raiko-san?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"P'rease go on, Tairasan.\"\n\nFor a little while Tyrer did, then stopped the history lesson and gave him a lead: \"Now to your problem. When you left the Yoshiwara those guards gave you no trouble?\"\n\n\"No, pretend take vegitab'res.\"\n\n\"That's good. Oh, by the way, did you see Raiko-san?\"\n\n\"Yes. Fujiko not possib're tomorrow.\"\n\n\"Oh. Well, never mind.\" Tyrer shrugged, dying inside.\n\nBut Hiraga saw the vast disappointment and savored it. Sonno-joi, he thought grimly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had had to buy Fujiko's services himself but he did not mind. Raiko had said: \"Since you pay well, though not gai-jin prices, I agree. But he should bed her the day after. I wouldn't want him to find another...\"\n\nTyrer was saying, \"Nakama-san, the only real way you can be safe here is to never go out. I won't send you to the Yoshiwara anymore. You must stay here, inside the Legation.\"\n\n\"Better, Tairasan, I stay in vi'rrage, find safe house. Inside fence safer. Each day I come at sunup, or when you want teach and to 'rearn. You very good Sensei. This so'rve prob'rem, yes?\"\n\nTyrer hesitated, not wanting him off the leash but no longer caring to have him too close. \"Yes, if first you show me where exactly and do not move without telling me.\"\n\nIn a moment Hiraga nodded and said, \"I agree. P'rease, you say so'diers good me stay here and in vi'rrage?\"\n\n\"Yes, I'll do that. I'm sure Sir William will agree.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Tairasan. Say so'diers also, if attack again I get katana.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "That night the wind became changeable, the sea choppy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out in the roads the fleet was snug at anchor and ready for sleep, the first night watch that came on duty at 8:00 p.m. already at their stations." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Upwards of fifty men were in various cells for various offenses; and with varying degrees of fear six were diligently making their own cat-o'-ninetails for the fifty lashes they were due at dawn for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline: one for threatening to break the neck of a sodomite Bosun, three for fighting, one for stealing a rum ration, and another for swearing at an officer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nine sea burials were scheduled for sunup.\n\nAll ship's sick bays were overloaded with sufferers of dysentery, diarrhea, the croup, whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, venereal diseases, broken limbs, hernias and the like, routine—except for a dangerous fourteen with smallpox—aboard the flagship. Bleeding and violent purges were the recommended cures for most illnesses—the majority of doctors also being barbers—except for the lucky few patients who were given Dr. Collis's Tincture, one he had invented during the Crimea, which had cut dysentery deaths by three quarters. Six drops of the dark, opium-based liquid and your bowels began to quieten.\n\nThroughout the Settlement everyone was preparing for dinner and the most eagerly anticipated part of the day: after-dinner conversation, discussing the day's rumors or news—thank God the mail ship's due tomorrow—enjoying the warm camaraderie and laughter over spicy scandals, the ball, tension over business problems and if war would begin, or about the latest book someone had read, a new funny story or poem another had thought up, or telling tales of storms or ice lands or desert, or journeys made to strange places throughout the Empire—New Zealand, Africa and Australia hardly explored but for coastal areas—or the Wild West of America and Canada, stories of the California Gold Rush of '49, or visits to Spanish or French or Russian America. Dmitri had once sailed the mostly uncharted western seaboard from San Francisco north to Russian Alaska. Each man told of strange sights he had seen, girls sampled or wars witnessed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good wine and drinks and pipes and tobacco from Virginia, a few nightcaps at the Club, then prayers and bed." }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"Why not make it a bloody weekly bash, eh? Angel Tits can kick up her heels and show her knickers for me every day of the week along with Naughty Nellie Fortheringill—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A normal night in the Empire.\n\nSome hosts specialized in chorals or poetry readings or excerpts from a coveted novel, and tonight at Norbert Greyforth's extremely private party, all guests sworn to secrecy, a special reading of the last chapter from the bootlegged copy he had had produced in his allotted hour by putting all his fifty clerks on it. \"If this leaks, the whole lot of you are dismissed,\" he had threatened.\n\nIn the Club they were still discussing the previous night's ball and trying to work out how to have another. \"Why not make it a bloody weekly bash, eh? Angel Tits can kick up her heels and show her knickers for me every day of the week along with Naughty Nellie Fortheringill—\"\n\n\"Stop calling her Angel Tits, for chrissake, or else!\"\n\n\"Angel tits she has, and Angel Tits she is!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To jeers and catcalls the fight started, bets were taken and the two contenders, Lunkchurch and Grimm, another trader, toed the line and tried to smash each other senseless.\n\nAlmost directly across the road, on the sea side, was the large brick bungalow of the British Legation, flagpole in the courtyard, gardens, and surrounded like most important dwellings with a defendable fence. Sir William was already dressed for dinner and so was his main guest, the Admiral. Both were furious.\n\n\"The bloody bastards!\" the Admiral said, his flushed face more flushed than usual, going to the sideboard to pour another large whisky. \"They're beyond comprehension.\"\n\n\"Totally.\" Sir William tossed the scroll aside and glared at Johann and Tyrer who stood in front of him. An hour ago the scroll had arrived by messenger from the Japanese Governor who had sent it on behalf of the Bakufu. \"Very urgent so sorry.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead of being in Dutch as was normal, it was in characters. With Seratard's agreement, Johann had co-opted one of the visiting French Jesuit missionaries and had produced a rough copy that Tyrer at once put into correct English. The message was from the Council of Elders, and signed by Anjo:\n\nI communicate with you by dispatch. By orders of the Shōgun, received from Kyōto, the provisional date of the meeting in nineteen days with the roju, and meeting the same day with the Shōgun, is to be postponed for three months as His Majesty will not return until then. I therefore send you this first, before holding a Conference as to the details. The second installment of the gift is to be delayed for thirty days." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Respectful and humble communication." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Johann,\" Sir William said, his voice icy, \"would you say this is unusually rude, impolite and altogether vile?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Swiss said cautiously, \"I think that's about right, Sir William.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For Christ sake, I've spent days negotiating, threatening, losing sleep, renegotiating until they swore on the Shōgun's head to meet in Yedo on November 5th, the Shōgun on November 6th and now this!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William gulped his drink, choked and swore for almost five minutes in English, French and Russian, the others staring with admiration at the gorgeously descriptive vulgarities.\n\n\"Quite right,\" the Admiral said. \"Tyrer, pour Sir William another gin.\"\n\nInstantly Tyrer obeyed. Sir William found his handkerchief, blew his nose, took some snuff, sneezed and blew his nose again. \"The pox on all of them!\"\n\n\"What do you propose, Sir William?\" the Admiral asked, keeping the delight off his face at this further humbling of his adversary." }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'admiral's' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Naturally I'll reply at once. Please order the fleet to Yedo tomorrow to bombard port facilities of my choosing.\"\n\nThe Admiral's blue eyes narrowed. \"I think we will discuss this in private. Gentlemen!\" Tyrer and Johann at once began to leave.\n\n\"No,\" Sir William said tightly. \"Johann, you can go, please wait outside. Tyrer's my personal staff, he stays.\"\n\nThe Admiral's neck reddened but he said nothing until the door had closed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know my views on bombardment very well. Until the order from England arrives, I-will-not-order-it unless I am attacked.\"\n\n\"Your position makes negotiations impossible. Power comes from the barrels of our cannon, nothing else!\"\n\n\"I agree, we only disagree on timing.\"\n\n\"Timing is my decision. Good. Then kindly just order a small cannonade, twenty shells on targets of my choosing.\"\n\n\"Dammit, no! Am I not clear? When the order arrives I will conflagrate Japan if necessary, not before.\"\n\nSir William flushed. \"Your reluctance to assist Her Majesty's policy in the most minor way is beyond belief.\"\n\n\"Personal aggrandizement seems to be the real problem. What do a few months matter? Nothing—except prudence!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Prudence be damned,\" Sir William said angrily. \"Of course we will get instructions to proceed as I—I repeat, I—advise! It is imprudent to delay. By tomorrow's mail I will request you are replaced by an officer who is more tuned to Her Majesty's interests—and battle trained!\"\n\nThe Admiral went purple. Only a few knew that in all his career he had never participated in a sea or land engagement. When he could talk he said, \"That, sir, is your privilege. Meanwhile until my replacement, or yours arrives, I command Her Majesty's Forces in Japan. Good night, sir.\" The door slammed.\n\n\"Rude bugger,\" Sir William muttered, then to his surprise saw Tyrer who had been standing behind him, out of his eye line, paralyzed by the salvos. \"You'd best keep your mouth shut. Did they teach you that?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yessir, yes, indeed.\"\n\n\"Good,\" Sir William said, and took his agitated mind off the Gordian knot of the Bakufu, roju and intransigence of the Admiral for later. \"Tyrer, get yourself a sherry, you look as though you need one, and you'd better join us for dinner as the Admiral has declined my invitation. You play backgammon?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir, thank you, sir,\" Tyrer said meekly.\n\n\"While I think of it, what's this I hear about a skirmish, your pet samurai versus the British Army?\"\n\nTyrer gave him the details and his solution, but not about his Sensei's threat to get swords, feeling ever more guilty about hiding facts from the Minister. \"I'd like to retain him, of course with your approval, sir, but he is a very good teacher and I think will be most useful to us.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I doubt that and it's more important to have no more trouble here. No telling what the fellow will do, he could become a viper in our nest. He's ordered out tomorrow.\"\n\n\"But sir, he's already given me some very valuable information.\" Tyrer held on to his sudden distress and blurted out, \"For instance he told me the Shōgun's only a boy, barely sixteen, he's only the puppet of the Bakufu, the real power belongs to their Emperor—he used the title Mikado several times—who lives in Kyōto.\"\n\n\"God Almighty!\" Sir William exploded. \"Is this true?\"\n\nIt was on the tip of Tyrer's tongue to tell about the English speaking, but he managed to stop himself. \"I don't know yet, sir. I haven't had time to really question him, he's difficult to bring out, but yes, I think he told me the truth.\"\n\nSir William stared at him, his mind agog with the implications of the information." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What else has he told you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I've only just started and it all takes time, as you'll appreciate.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: 'tyrer' should appear 2 times in total" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer's excitement picked up. \"But he's told me about ronin. The word means 'wave,' sir, they're called ronin because they're as free as the waves. They're all samurai, but outlawed for different reasons. Most of them are adversaries of the Bakufu, like Nakama, who believe they've usurped power from the Midako, sorry, Mikado, as I said.\"\n\n\"Wait a moment, slow down, slow down, Tyrer. There's plenty of time. Now, what is a ronin, exactly?\"\n\nTyrer told him.\n\n\"Good God!\" Sir William thought a moment. \"So ronin are samurai who are either outlawed because their king has lost favor, or outlawed by their kings for crimes real or imagined, or voluntary outlaws who are banding together to overthrow the central government of the puppet Shōgun?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir. He says illegal government.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William sipped the last of his gin, nodding to himself, astonished and elated as he ran this all around in his mind." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate 'course' into your response exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then Nakama's a ronin, and what you call a dissident, and what I'd call a revolutionary?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir. Excuse me, sir, can I sit down?\" Tyrer asked shakily, desperate to blurt out the real truth about the man and afraid to do so.\n\n\"Of course, of course, Tyrer, so sorry, but first get another sherry and bring me a tot of gin.\" Sir William watched him, delighted with him yet somehow perturbed. Years of dealing with diplomats, spies, half-truths, lies and blatant disinformation were calling up warning signals that something was being hidden from him. He accepted the drink." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thanks. Take that chair, it's the most comfortable. Cheers! You must be speaking very good Japanese to get all this in such a short time,\" he said easily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, sir, sorry, I don't, but I spend all my time at it. With Nakama, it's, well, mostly patience, gestures, a few English words and Japanese words and phrases André Poncin has given me, he's been tremendously helpful, sir.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Does André know what this man has told you?\"\n\n\"No, sir.\"\n\n\"Tell him nothing. Nothing at all. Anyone else?\"\n\n\"No, sir, except Jamie McFay.\" Tyrer gulped his sherry. \"He knew a little already and, well, he's very persuasive and he, well, pried it out about the Shōgun.\"\n\nSir William sighed. \"Yes, Jamie's persuasive, to say the least, and always knows far more than he tells.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sat back in the comfortable old leather swivel chair and sipped his drink, his mind roving over all this priceless new knowledge, already redesigning his reply to tonight's rude missive, wondering how far he dare gamble and how far he could trust Tyrer's information. As always in these circumstances, queasily he remembered the Permanent Under Secretary's parting salvos about failure.\n\n\"About Nakama,\" he said. \"I'll agree to your plan, Phillip... may I call you Phillip?\"\n\nTyrer flushed with pleasure at the sudden and unexpected compliment. \"Of course, sir, thank you, sir.\"\n\n\"Good, thank you. For the moment I'll agree to your plan, but for God's sake, be careful of him, don't forget ronin have committed all the murders, except poor Canterbury.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll be careful, Sir William. Don't worry.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Get all you can out of him but tell no one else and give me the information at once. For God's sake, be careful, always have a revolver on hand and if he shows the slightest indication of violence, scream bloody murder, shoot him or clap him in irons.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'there' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next door to the British Legation was the American, then the Dutch, Russian, German and last, the French, and there, in her suite that evening, Angelique was dressing for dinner, helped by Ah Soh. In an hour, the dinner Seratard was giving her and Malcolm to celebrate their engagement was due to begin. Then later there would be music. \"But don't play too long, André, say you're tired,\" she had cautioned him earlier. \"Leave plenty of time for your mission, no? Men are so lucky.\"\n\nShe was glad and sad that she had moved. It's wiser, better, she thought. In three days I can move back. A new life, a new...\n\n\"Wat wrong, Miss'ee?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing, Ah Soh.\" Angelique forced her mind away from what must soon be endured, and buried her fear deeper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just down the street in the best location on the waterfront, the Struan Building was well lit, as was Brock and Sons, next door, both with many clerks and shroffs still at their work. Today Malcolm Struan had moved into the tai-pan suite that was much bigger and more comfortable than the one he had been using and now he was fighting his way into his dinner clothes. \"What's your advice, Jamie? Damned if I know what to do about Mother and her letters, but that's my damned problem not yours—she's giving you stick too, isn't she?\"\n\nJamie McFay shrugged. \"It's awfully difficult for her. From her point of view she's right, she only wants the best for you. I think she's worried to death over your health, you being so far away, she unable to come here. And nothing about Struan's can be solved from Yokohama, everything in Hong Kong. China Cloud docks in a few days from Shanghai, then a quick turn around for Hong Kong. You'll be returning with her?\"\n\n\"No, and please don't bring it up again,\" Struan said sharply. \"I'll tell you when we, Angelique and I, are leaving. I just hope to God Mother isn't on China Cloud—that'd be the last straw.\" Struan bent to pull on his boots, failed, the pain too much. \"Sorry, could you? Thanks.\" Then he burst out, \"This being like a fucking cripple is driving me over the brink.\"\n\n\"I can imagine.\" McFay covered his surprise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the first time he had ever heard Struan use that expletive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'd be the same, no, not the same, a bloody sight worse,\" he added kindly, liking him, admiring his courage.\n\n\"I'll be fine when we're married and all the waiting's over, everything tidy.\" Struan with difficulty used the chamber pot, painful always, and saw a few flecks of blood in the stream. He had told Hoag about it yesterday when it had begun anew and Hoag had said not to worry. \"Then why do you look so worried?\"\n\n\"I'm not, Malcolm, just concerned. With these kinds of vicious internal wounds, any indication during the healing process should be noted...\"\n\nStruan finished and hobbled over to the chair by the window and sat gratefully. \"Jamie, I need a favor.\"\n\n\"Of course, anything, what can I do?\"\n\n\"Can you, well, I must have a woman. Could you arrange it from the Yoshiwara?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie was startled. \"I, yes, I imagine so.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he added, \"Is that wise?\"\n\nA gust rattled the shutters and tugged at trees and gardens, clattering a few loose roof tiles to the ground, sending the rats scurrying from the piles of garbage thrown carelessly into the High Street and from the encircling turgid and fetid canal that also served as a sewer.\n\n\"No,\" Malcolm said." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Half a mile away from the Struan Building, near Drunk Town, in a nondescript dwelling in the Japanese village, Hiraga was lying on his stomach, naked, being massaged. The house was ordinary, the facade facing the street decrepit, a pattern of the others that lined both sides of the narrow dirt roadway, each serving as home, warehouse, and shop during the day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Inside, like many that belonged to the more substantial merchants, everything was sparkling clean, polished, cherished and expensive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the house of the shoya, the village elder.\n\nThe masseuse was blind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was in her early twenties, firmly built with a gentle face and sweet smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By ancient custom throughout most of Asia, blind people had a monopoly on the art, though there were also practitioners with normal sight. Again, by ancient custom, the blind were always quite safe and never to be touched." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You are very strong, samurai-sama,\" she said, breaking a silence. \"Those you fought must be dead or suffering.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment Hiraga did not reply, enjoying the deep probing and wise fingers that sought out his knotted muscles and relaxed them. \"Perhaps.\"\n\n\"Please, may I suggest, I have some special oil from China that will help heal your cuts and bruises quickly?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He smiled. This was an often-used ploy to gain extra money. \"Good, use it.\"\n\n\"Oh, but you smile, honored samurai! It is not a trick to get more money,\" she said at once, her fingers kneading his back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My grandmother who was also blind gave me the secret.\"\n\n\"How did you know I smiled?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She laughed and the sound reminded him of a lark sailing the dawn air currents." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A smile begins in many parts of the body. My fingers listen to you—to your muscles and even sometimes to your thoughts.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And what am I thinking now?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"About sonno-joi. Ah, I was right!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'nothing' 3 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again the laugh that disconcerted him. \"But don't be afraid, you have said nothing, the patrons here have said nothing, I will say nothing but my fingers tell me you are a special swordsman, the best I have ever served. Clearly you're not Bakufu, therefore you must be ronin, ronin by choice because you are a guest in this house, therefore shishi, the first we have ever had here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She bowed. \"We are honored. If I were a man I would support sonno-joi.\"\n\nDeliberately her steel-hard fingertip pressed a nerve center and she felt the tremor of pain go through him and it pleased her that she could help him more than he knew." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, but this point is very important to rejuvenate you and keep your juices flowing.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He grunted, the pain grinding him to the futons yet strangely pleasing. \"Your grandmother was also a masseuse?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes. In my family at least one girl in every second generation is born blind. It was my turn in this lifetime.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Karma.\"\n\n\"Yes. It is said that in China today, fathers or mothers will blind one of their daughters so that when she grows up she will find employment for all her life.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga had never heard this but he believed it and was incensed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This is not China and never will be and one day we will take China and civilize her.\"\n\n\"Eeee, so sorry to disturb your harmony, Lord, please excuse me, oh so sorry. Ah, that's better, again so sorry, please excuse me. You were saying, Lord... civilize China? As Dictator Nakamura wanted to do? Is it possible?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, one day. It is our destiny to gain the Dragon Throne, as it is your destiny to massage and not to talk.\"\n\nAgain her laugh was gentle. \"Yes, Lord.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga sighed as her finger released the pressure point and left a pervading, soothing glow in place of pain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So everyone knows I'm shishi, he thought. How long before I'm betrayed?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why not? Two koku is a fortune.\n\nGetting into this haven had not been easy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he had strode into the quarter there was an aghast silence, for here was a samurai, a samurai without swords, looking like a wild man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The street cleared except those nearby who knelt and awaited their fate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You, old man, where is your nearest ryokan—Inn.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We don't have one, Lord, there's no need, Honored Lord,\" the old shopkeeper muttered, his fear making him gabble on. \"There's no need as our Yoshiwara is nearby, bigger than most cities with dozens of places you can stay in and over a hundred girls not counting maids, three real geisha and seven trainees. It's that way...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Enough! Where's the house of the shoya?\"\n\n\"There, Lord.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Where, fool? Get up, show me the way.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still enraged, he followed him down the street, wanting to smash the eyes that watched from every opening and crush the whispers in his wake." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There, Lord.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga waved him away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The sign outside the open shop that was filled with goods of all description but empty of people announced that this was the residence and place of business of Ichi Ryoshi, shoya, rice merchant and banker, the Yokohama agent for the Gyokoyama." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Gyokoyama was a zaïbatsu—meaning a closely knit family complex of businesses—immensely powerful in Yedo and Osaka as rice traders, saké and beer distillers, and all-important, bankers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He took hold of himself. With great care and politeness he knocked, squatted on his heels and began to wait, trying to dominate the pain from the beating he had taken from the ten-man patrol." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length a strong-faced, middle-aged man came out into the open shop, knelt and bowed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga bowed back equally, introduced himself as Nakama Otami and mentioned that his grandfather was also shoya, not saying where but giving enough information for him to know it was the truth and that, perhaps, as there was no ryokan to stay at, the shoya might have a room for paying guests that was not being used. \"My grandfather also is honored to have dealings with the Gyokoyama zaïbatsu—his villages sell all their crops through it,\" he had said politely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In fact I would like you, please, to send my pledge to them in Osaka, and would be grateful if you would advance me some cash against it.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yedo is nearer than Osaka, Otami-san.\"\n\n\"Yes, but Osaka is better for me than Yedo,\" Hiraga said, not wanting to risk Yedo where there could be leaks to the Bakufu." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'ogama' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He noted the cool, unafraid appraisal and hid his hatred, but even daimyos had to be careful when dealing with the Gyokoyama or their agents, even Lord Ogama of Choshu. It was common knowledge that Ogama was heavily in debt to them, with years of future revenue already pledged as security." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My company is honored to serve old customers. Please, how long would you wish to stay in my house?\"\n\n\"A few days, if it would not inconvenience you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga told him about Tyrer and the problem of the soldiers, only because he was sure the news had preceded him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You may stay at least three days, Otami-san. So sorry, but you must be prepared to leave quickly in case of a sudden raid, by day or night.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I understand. Thank you.\"\n\n\"Please excuse me but I would like an order signed by this Taira, or better the chief of the gai-jin, ordering me to open my house to you, in case or when the Bakufu arrive here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I will arrange it.\" Hiraga bowed his thanks and hid his irritation at the restraints. \"Thank you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shoya ordered a maid to bring tea and writing materials and watched while Hiraga wrote the pledge that asked the amount be deducted from the account of Shinsaku Otami, the secret code name of his father." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He signed it and sealed it with his chop, signed and sealed the receipt for Ryoshi, who agreed to advance half the amount at the usual interest of two percent per month, for the three months that would be needed to send the paper to Osaka and complete the transaction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Do you want the money in cash?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, thank you, I still have a few oban,\" he said, exaggerating, down to his last two." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please open an account for me, deduct the charges for my room and food. I need some clothes, swords, and could you please arrange a masseuse?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of course, Otami-san. About clothes, the servant will show you our stock. Choose what you want. As to swords for sale\"—Ryoshi shrugged—\"the only ones I have are trinkets for gai-jin and hardly worth your trouble but you may see what I have. Perhaps I could obtain proper ones for you. Now I will show you your room and your private entrance and exit—there is a guard here, by day and by night.\"\n\nHiraga had followed him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never once had Ryoshi commented on his nakedness or bruises or asked any questions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You are welcome and honor my poor house,\" he had said, and left him." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: disgusting, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Remembering the way it was said suddenly made Hiraga's skin crawl-so polite and grave but underneath so deadly. Disgusting, he thought, disgusting that we samurai are kept in poverty by corrupt daimyos and Shoguns and Bakufu and forced to borrow from these low-class zaibatsu who are nothing but filthy, money-grubbing merchants who act as though their money gives them power over us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By all gods, when the Emperor has regained power there'll be a reckoning, merchants and zaibatsu will begin to pay..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the same instant he felt her fingers stop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What is it, Lord?\" the masseuse asked, frightened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing, nothing. Please continue.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her fingers obeyed, but now their touch was different and there was tension in the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was an eight-mat room, the futons stuffed with down, the tatami of good quality and shojis recently renewed with oiled paper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the tokonoma niche was an oil lamp, flower arrangement and small scroll painting of a vast landscape, its only habitation a tiny cottage in a bamboo grove, with an even tinier woman forlorn in the doorway, peering into the distance—a love poem beside it.\n\nWaiting," } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So lonely, filled with so much hope for her man's return.\n\nHiraga was drifting into sleep when the screen door slid back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Excuse me, Lord.\" The servant knelt and said uneasily, \"So sorry, there is a low-class person outside who claims to know you, asks to see you, so sorry to disturb you, but he is very insistent an—\"\n\n\"Who is he? What's his name?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He... wouldn't give a name, and he didn't ask for you by name, Lord, but kept on saying: 'Say to the samurai: Todo is the brother of Joun.'\"\n\nInstantly Hiraga was on his feet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he slipped on his yukata, he asked the masseuse to come back tomorrow at the same time and dismissed her, moved closer to the two swords he had borrowed until the shoya could obtain better, and knelt in a defensive-attack position facing the door. \"Send him here, and keep everyone else away.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The slight, dirty young peasant with a tattered kimono grovelled along the passageway and went onto his knees outside the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you, Lord, thank you for seeing me,\" the youth mumbled, then looked up and beamed inanely, his front teeth missing. \"Thank you, Lord.\"\n\nHiraga glowered at him, then gasped with disbelief: \"Ori? But—but it's impossible!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "then peered closer and saw that his tooth had just been blacked out as part of his disguise, in this light the illusion perfect. But no mistaking that Ori was no longer obviously samurai: his topknot and been cut off and all hair on the back and sides of his head roughly trimmed to the same length as the two-week stubble that covered his pate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why?\" he asked helplessly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori grinned and sat close to him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Bakufu are looking for ronin, eh?\" he whispered, keeping his voice down against ears they both knew would be listening." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm not less a samurai but now I can pass any barrier, eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The air hissed out of Hiraga's mouth with admiration." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You are right. You are brilliant, sonno-joi doesn't depend on a hairstyle. So simple—I would never have thought of it.\"\n\n\"It occurred to me last night. I was thinking about your problem, Hiraga, an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Careful. Here my name's Nakama Otami.\"\n\n\"Ah, so that's it! Good.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori smiled. \"I did not know what to use, hence the code.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Have they found Todo and the others?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, no, they are still missing. They have to be dead. We heard Joun was executed like a common criminal, but still don't know how he was caught.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Why come here, Ori? It's too dangerous.\"\n\n\"Not like this, nor at night, and I needed to test the new Ori and to see you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Squeamishly he ran his hand over his head stubble, scratching his scalp, his face freshly shaven." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It feels awful, and dirty, somehow obscene, but never mind, now I am safe to get to Kyōto. I will leave in two days.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga stared at his head, fascinated, still bewildered by the astonishing change." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If anything makes you safe that should, except that now all samurai will take you for a common man. How can you wear swords?\"\n\n\"When I need swords I will wear a hat. When I am disguised I have this.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori slipped his good hand into his sleeve and brought out a two-shot derringer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again Hiraga's face lit up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eeee, brilliant! Where did you get it?\"\n\n\"Fujiko. She sold it to me, with a box of cartridges. A client gave it to her as a present when he left Yokohama. Imagine! A low-class whore with such a treasure.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga held it carefully, weighing it in his hand, pointing it then lifting the catch to see the two bronze cartridges neatly in the barrels. \"You could certainly kill two men before you were killed, if you were close enough.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"One is enough to give you time to run off and get some swords.\" Ori peered at Hiraga." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We heard about the soldiers. I wanted to see if you were all right. Baka! We will go to Kyōto together and leave this place to the dogs until we can come back in force.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga shook his head and told what really happened, then about Tyrer and discovering the enmity between the French and English, adding excitedly, \"This is one of the wedges we can drive between them. We get them fighting amongst themselves, let them kill each other for us, eh? I must stay, Ori. It is only the beginning. We must learn all they know, be able to think like them and then we can destroy them.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori frowned, considering the reasons for and the reasons against—though he had not forgiven Hiraga for forcing him to lose face and remove her cross, he still had to protect sonno-joi. \"In that case, if you are to be our spy, you will have to be like them in every way, and burrow into their society like a bedbug, outwardly become friends, even wear gai-jin clothes.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At Hiraga's blank look he added, \"Why not? That will further protect you, and make it easier for them to accept you, neh?\"\n\n\"But why should they accept me?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They should not, but they are fools. Taira will be your spearhead. He can arrange it, order it. He could insist.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why should he?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Barter Fujiko.\"\n\n\"Eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Raiko gave us the key: gai-jin are different. They prefer to bed the same woman. Help Raiko to wrap him in their net, then he is your running dog because you are his indispensable go-between. Tomorrow tell him, even though you were furious with the soldiers, it was not his fault. With great difficulty you sneaked back to the Yoshiwara and arranged Fujiko for him for tomorrow evening and 'so sorry, Taira-sama, it would be simpler for me to arrange these trysts if I had proper European clothes to pass the barriers, and so on.' Make her available, or not, get him on her barb, and twist it. Eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga began laughing quietly. \"Better you stay here and not go to Kyōto, your counsel is too valuable.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Katsumata must be forewarned. Now, the gai-jin woman?\"\n\n\"Tomorrow I will find out exactly where she is.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good.\" The wind picked up and a gust passed through the house, crackling the paper in the frames and setting the oil flame dancing. Ori watched him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Have you seen her?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not yet. Taira's servants, a filthy lot of Chinese, don't speak any language I can understand so I could not find out from them, but the biggest building in the Settlement belongs to the man she is to marry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She lives there?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I am not sure but—\" Hiraga stopped as an idea barreled into his head. \"Listen, if I could become accepted, I could go everywhere, could find out all about their defenses, could go aboard their warships and...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And on a certain night,\" Ori said at once, jumping ahead, \"perhaps we could capture one, or sink one.\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Both men glowed at the thought, the candle fluttering and casting strange shadows." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"With the right wind,\" Ori said softly, \"a south wind like tonight, with five or six shishi, a few kegs of oil already planted in the right warehouses... even that is not necessary: we can make incendiaries and start fires in the Yoshiwara. The wind would jump those fires into the village and those would spread to the Settlement and burn it up! Neh?\"\n\n\"And the ship?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In the confusion we row out to the big one. We could do it, easily, neh?\"\n\n\"Not easily, but what a coup!\"\n\n\"Sonno-joi!\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Come in! Ah, good morning, André,\" Angelique said with a warmth that belied her anxiety. \"You're very punctual. All's well with you?\"\n\nHe nodded, closed the door of the small ground-floor room adjoining her bedroom that served as her boudoir in the French Legation, once more astonished that she appeared so calm and could make small talk. Politely he bent over her hand and kissed it, then sat opposite her. The room was drab with old chairs and chaise and writing desk, plaster walls with a few cheap oils by current French painters, Delacroix and Corot. \"The army taught me, Punctuality is next to Godliness.\"\n\nShe smiled at the pleasantry. \"La! I didn't know you had been in the army.\"\n\n\"I had a commission in Algeria for a year when I was twenty-two; after university—nothing very grand, just helping to crush one of the usual rebellions. The sooner we really stamp out the troublemakers and annex all North Africa as French territory the better.\" He waved absently at the flies, and studied her. \"You look more beautiful than ever. Your—your state suits you.\"\n\nHer eyes lost their color and became flinty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Last night had been bad for her, the bed here in the untidy, seedy bedroom uncomfortable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During the dark time her anxieties had overridden her confidence and she had become increasingly nervous about leaving her suite next to Struan and all her comfort, so hastily. In the dawn her humor had not improved and again the all-consuming idea pervaded her: men caused all her woes. Revenge will be sweet. \"You mean my marriage state to be, no?\"\n\n\"Of course,\" he said after the barest pause, and she wondered, aggravated, what was the matter with him and why he was so boorish and distant like last night when the music had gone on and on, without his usual touch. He had dark rings under his eyes and his features seemed sharper than usual.\n\n\"Is anything wrong, my dear friend?\"\n\n\"No, dear Angelique, nothing, nothing at all.\"\n\nLiar, she thought. Why is it men lie so much, to others and to themselves? \"You were successful?\"\n\n\"Yes and no.\"\n\nHe knew that she was twisting on the spit and of a sudden he wanted to make her squirm, wanted to fan the flames to make her scream and pay for Hana.\n\nYou're mad, he thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's not Angelique's fault." }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: Your response must contain: \"So sorry, Furansu-san, I said before: her mama-san is dead, people of house scattered, Inn of Forty-seven Ronin dead.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That is true but because of her, last night I went to the Three Carp and saw Raiko and while we talked in our mixture of Japanese and English and pidgin I suddenly felt that the other had just been a rotten nightmare and that any moment Hana would appear, the laugh in her eyes, and my heart would swirl as always and we would leave Raiko and bathe together, play there, eat in private and love without haste. And when I realized the truth, with Hana gone forever, my entrails and brain crawling with spawning worms, I almost vomited. \"Raiko, got to know who three clients were.\"\n\n\"So sorry, Furansu-san, I said before: her mama-san is dead, people of house scattered, Inn of Forty-seven Ronin dead.\"\n\n\"There must be some way to find th—\"\n\n\"None. So sorry.\"\n\n\"Then tell me the truth... the truth, of how she died.\"\n\n\"With your knife in her throat, so sorry.\"\n\n\"She did it? Hara-kiri?\"\n\nRaiko had answered with the same patient voice, the same voice that had told the same story and given the same answer to the same questions a dozen times before: \"Hara-kiri is the ancient way, honorable way, the only way atone a wrong. Hana betrayed you and us, owners, patrons and herself—that was her karma in this life. There is nothing more say. So sorry, let her rest. Her fortieth day after her death day, her kami day when a person is reborn or becomes a kami has passed now. Let her kami, her spirit, rest. So sorry, not speak of her again. Now, what other thing can I do for you?\"\n\nAngelique was sitting straight in her chair as she had been taught from childhood, disquieted, watching him, one hand in her lap, the other fanned against the flies. Twice she had said, \"What do you mean, yes and no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "but he had not heard her, seemingly in a trance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just before she had left Paris, her uncle had been the same and her aunt had said, \"Leave him be, who knows what devils inhabit a man's mind when troubled.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What trouble is he in, Aunt-mama?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, chérie, all life is a trouble when what you earn won't pay for what is needed. Taxes crush us, Paris is a cesspit of greed and without morals, France is rumbling again, the franc buys less every month, bread has doubled in half a year. Leave him be, poor man, he does his best.\"\n\nAngelique sighed. Yes, poor man. Tomorrow I will do my best and talk to Malcolm, he will arrange to pay his debts. Such a good man should not be in Debtors' Prison. What can his debts amount to? A few louis...\n\nShe saw André come back into himself and look at her. \"Yes and no, André? What does that mean?\"\n\n\"Yes, they have such a medicine, but no, you cannot have it yet because y—\"\n\n\"But why, why ha—\"\n\n\"Mon Dieu, be patient, then I can tell you what the mama-san told me. You cannot have it yet because it cannot be taken until the thirtieth day, then again on the thirty-fifth day, and also because the drink—an infusion of herbs—must be prepared freshly each time.\"\n\nHis words had ripped the simplicity of her plan apart: André was to have given her now the drink or powder that he had obtained last night, she would take it at once and go to bed, saying she had the vapors. Voilà! A small stomachache and in a few hours, a day at the most, and everything perfect." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment she felt her whole world twisting but again managed to put on the brakes: Stop it! You're alone. You are the heroine whom the forces of evil have ensnared. You must be strong, you have to fight alone and you-can-beat-them! \"Thirty days?\" She sounded strangled.\n\n\"Yes, and you repeat it on the thirty-fifth. You must be accurate and th—\"\n\n\"And what happens then, André? Is it fast, what?\"\n\n\"For God's sake, let me finish. She said it's—it usually works at once. The second draft isn't always necessary.\"\n\n\"There's nothing I can take immediately?\"\n\n\"No. There isn't anything like that.\"\n\n\"But this other, she said it's successful every time?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Raiko's answer to his same question had been, \"Nine times in ten. If the medicine does not work, there are other ways.\"\n\n\"'You mean a doctor?'\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"'Yes. The medicine usually works but is expensive. I must pay medicine maker before he will give it to me. He must buy herbs, do you understand... '\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "André concentrated on Angelique again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The mama-san said it was effective—but expensive.\"\n\n\"Effective? Every time? And not dangerous?\"\n\n\"Every time and not dangerous. But expensive. She has to pay the apothecary in advance, he has to obtain fresh herbs.\"\n\n\"Oh,\" she said airily, \"then please pay her for me, and shortly I will repay you three times.\"\n\nHis lips went into a thin line. \"I've already advanced twenty louis. I'm not a rich man.\"\n\n\"But what can a little medicine cost, André, such an ordinary medicine? It can't be expensive surely?\"\n\n\"She said, for such a girl wanting such help, secret help, what does the cost matter?\"\n\n\"I agree, dear André.\" Angelique brushed this problem aside with warmth and friendliness, her heart hardening against him for being so mercenary. \"In thirty days I can pay whatever it is out of the allowance Malcolm has promised, and anyway I'm sure, I know you'll be able to arrange it, a good, wise man like you. Thank you, my dear friend. Please tell her it is exactly eight days from when I should have had my period. When do you get the medicine?\"\n\n\"I already told you, the day before the thirtieth day. We can collect it or send someone for it the day before.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And the—the discomfort? How long will that be?\"\n\nAndré was feeling very tired, uncomfortable and now furious that he had allowed himself to become embroiled, however many the potential, permanent advantages. \"She told me it depends on the girl, her age, if this has been done before. If it hasn't it should be easy.\"\n\n\"But how many days of sickness will there be?\"\n\n\"Mon Dieu, she didn't say and I didn't ask her. If you have specific questions write them down and I'll try to get you the answers. Now if you'll excuse me...\" He got up. Instantly she allowed her eyes to fill with tears. \"Oh, André, thank you, I'm so sorry, you're so kind to help me and I'm sorry to upset you,\" she sobbed, and was pleased to see him melt at once.\n\n\"Don't cry, Angelique, I'm not upset with you, it's not your fault, it's... I apologize, it must be terrible for you but please don't worry, I'll fetch the medicine on time and help all I can, just write down the questions and in the next few days I'll have the answers for you. Sorry, it's... I've not been feeling well recently...\"\n\nShe had pretended to comfort him and, after he had left, she weighed what he had told her, looking out through the flyspecked curtains to High Street, seeing nothing.\n\nThirty days? Never mind. I can live with the delay, nothing will show, she was thinking over and over, wanting to convince herself. Twenty-two more days won't matter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To make sure she took out her diary, unlocked it and began counting. Then she re-counted and reached the same day. November 7th. Friday. The saint day of Saint Theodore. Who is he? I'll light candles to him every Sunday. No need to mark the day, she thought with a shiver. Nonetheless, she put a small cross in the corner. What about Confession?\n\nGod understands. he understands everything.\n\nI can wait—but what if.\n\nWhat if it doesn't work or André gets sick or lost or killed, or the mama-san fails me, or any one of a thousand reasons?\n\nThis gnawed at her. It obliterated her resolve. Real tears wet her cheeks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, suddenly, she remembered what her father had once said, years upon years ago, just before he had deserted her and her little brother, in Paris..." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, he deserted us,\" she said out loud, the first time she had ever articulated that truth. \"He did. Mon Dieu, from what I know now, probably that's just as well. He would have sold us, certainly sold me long since.\"\n\nHer father had quoted his idol, Napoleon Bonaparte: \"A wise general always has a line of retreat planned, from which to launch the hammer blow of victory.\"\n\nWhat is my line of retreat?\n\nThen something André Poncin had said weeks ago slid into her mind. She smiled, all her care vanishing." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phillip Tyrer was putting the final touches to the draft of Sir William's reply to the roju in his best copperplate writing. Unlike all previous communications, Sir William was sending the original in English and a copy in Dutch, which Johann had been told to prepare.\n\n\"There, Johann, I'm done.\" He finished the tail of the \"B\" of Sir William Aylesbury, K.C.B. with an intricate twirl.\n\n\"Scheiss in meinem. Hut!\" Johann beamed. \"That's the best writing I've ever seen. No wonder Wee Willie wants you to copy all his London dispatches.\"\n\n\"Shigata ga nai!\" Tyrer said without thinking. It doesn't matter.\n\n\"You're really working at it, the Japanese, eh?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, I am, and between us, for God's sake, don't tell Willie, I enjoy it immensely. What do you think of his ploy?\"\n\nJohann sighed. \"With Jappos I don't think. Me, I think Jappo mealy-mouthing has scrambled his head.\"\n\nThe message read:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "To His Excellency, Nori Anjo, Esq., Chief roju." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have your dispatch of yesterday and inform you it is rejected entirely." }, { "from": "system", "value": "CONSTRAINT: Include 'kyōto' 2 time(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you do not pay the agreed installment of the indemnity for the murder of two British soldiers on time, the amount owing will be quadrupled for every day of delay.\n\nI am sorry to learn you are clearly not masters of your own calendar. I will correct this for you at once. I will leave for Kyōto on my flagship with an escorting squadron, twelve days from today, docking at Osaka. Then, with a mounted escort and obligatory sixty-pound cannon of our mounted Royal Artillery for royal salutes, I and the other Ministers will proceed at once to Kyōto to seek redress for you from His young Majesty, Shogun Nobusada personally or, if he is not available, from His Imperial Highness, Emperor Komei personally, promising full royal honors with a twenty-one-cannon salute. Please inform them of our impending arrival. (signed) Her Britannic Majesty's Minister and Ambassador, Sir William Aylesbury, K.C.B...\n\n\"Emperor? What Emperor?\" Johann said disgustedly. \"There's only the Midako, Mikado, some name like that, and he's only a kind of minor pope without power, not like Pius the Ninth, who meddles and connives and plays politics and, like all Gottverdammt Catholics, wants us back on the stake!\"\n\n\"Come now, Johann, they're not all bad. Now English Catholics can vote and even stand for Parliament like anyone who's eligible.\"\n\n\"The pox on Catholics. I'm Swiss and we don't forget.\"\n\n\"Then why are the Pope's personal guards all Swiss?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They're Catholic mercenaries.\" Johann shrugged." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Give me the rough copy of the dispatch and I'll get to work.\"\n\n\"Sir Willie says you're not renewing your contract.\"\n\n\"It's time to move on and leave the field to younger and wiser.\" Johann beamed suddenly. \"You.\"\n\n\"That's not funny. Please send Nakama in, I think he's in the garden.\"\n\n\"Don't trust that bastard. Best watch him, Phillip.\"\n\nTyrer wondered what Johann would say if he knew the real truth about him.\n\nHiraga opened the door. \"Hai, Tairasan?\"\n\n\"Ikimasho, Nakama-sensei, old chap, hai?\" Let's go, all right? Tyrer said, beaming, still marvelling at the change.\n\nWhen Hiraga had arrived at dawn this morning, gone were the dirt and rags and most of all the samurai haircut—his short hair now similar to that of almost any commoner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In his neat, starched but ordinary kimono, new sun hat hanging by its thong on his back, new tabi and thongs, he was like the son of a prosperous merchant." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"My God, you look terrific, Nakama,\" he had burst out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That haircut suits you.\"\n\n\"Ah, Tairasan,\" Hiraga had said hesitantly, with pretended humility, following the ploy he and Ori had formulated. \"I think what you say me, he'rp me give up samurai, stop be samurai. Soon go back Choshu, become farmer 'rike grandfather, or in beer or saké factory.\"\n\n\"Give up samurai? Is that possible?\"\n\n\"Hai. Possib're. P'rease not want say more, yes?\"\n\n\"All right. But it's a wise decision, congratulations.\"\n\nInvoluntarily Hiraga ran his hand over his head, the close shorn sides and newness itching. \"Soon hair grows, Tairasan, same yours.\"\n\n\"Why not?\" Tyrer wore his hair, naturally wavy, almost to his shoulders. Unlike most he was fastidious about its cleanliness: a petit point had hung over his bed forever, stitched by his mother, Cleanliness is next to Godliness. \"How are your bruises?\"\n\n\"I forgotten them.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I have forgotten them.\"\n\n\"Ah, thank you, I have forgotten them. Some good newses, Tairasan.\" Elaborately, Hiraga had told him about going to the Yoshiwara and arranging Fujiko for tonight. \"She yours, o'rr night. Good, neh?\"\n\nFor a moment Tyrer had been speechless. Impulsively he wrung Hiraga's hand. \"Thank you. My dear friend, thank you.\" He had sat back and pulled out his pipe and offered tobacco to Hiraga who refused, hard put not to laugh. \"That's marvelous.\" Tyrer's mind had jumped him ahead to their tryst, his heart throbbing and manhood conscious. \"My God, marvelous!\"\n\nWith an effort he had put all those immediate, erotic thoughts aside to concentrate on the day's schedule. \"Have you arranged somewhere to stay in the village?\"\n\n\"Yes. P'rease we go now, yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "During their walk to the Japanese quarter, always careful to keep their voices down and not speak English near any passerby, Tyrer had continued to probe Hiraga, mining diamonds, amongst them the names of the Shōgun and Emperor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the dwelling of the shoya, he had inspected the shop and tiny drab room off it where Hiraga was supposed to be staying. Then he had brought him back to the Legation, completely pleased and reassured. \"Did you notice on the street how you were hardly noticed, even by the soldiers, now that you don't look like a samurai?\"\n\n\"Yes, Tairasan. You can he'rp me, p'rease?\"\n\n\"Anything, what?\"\n\n\"I 'rike try to wear your clothes, become more 'rike gai-jin, yes?\"\n\n\"Great idea!\"\n\nWhen they got back to the Legation, Tyrer hurried to see Sir William, excitedly gave him the names of the Shōgun and Emperor. \"I thought you would want to know at once, sir. Also another piece of info: I think I've understood correctly but he says all Japanese, even daimyos, have to get permission to visit Kyōto, where the Emperor lives.\"\n\n\"What are daimyos?\"\n\n\"That's what they call their kings, sir. But everyone, even them, they must get permission to visit Kyōto—he says the Bakufu, which is another name for the Shōgunate, like their Civil Service, are afraid to allow free access there, to anyone.\" He had tried to keep calm but the words rushed out of him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If that's true, and if the Shōgun's there at present and the Emperor's there permanently and if all power's there—if you were to go there, sir, wouldn't that bypass the Bakufu?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "IMPORTANT: Your response must contain: \"Thank you, sir, I'll arrange it instantly. I can have the bill sent to our shroff for payment?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"An inspired leap of logic,\" Sir William said kindly with a sigh of pleasure, already there, long before Tyrer had explained. \"Phillip, I think I will redraft the dispatch. Come back in an hour—you've done very well.\"\n\n\"Thank you, sir.\" Then he had told him about the \"new\" Nakama and new haircut. \"My thought is that if we could persuade him into European clothes he would become more and more malleable—of course as he teaches me Japanese while I'm teaching him English.\"\n\n\"Very good idea, Phillip.\"\n\n\"Thank you, sir, I'll arrange it instantly. I can have the bill sent to our shroff for payment?\"\n\nSome of Sir William's good humor vanished. \"We have no excess funds, Phillip, and the Exchequer... Very well. But one outfit only. You're responsible the bill's modest.\"\n\nTyrer had left hastily and now that he had finished his work on the dispatch, he was going to take Hiraga to the Chinese tailor down the road.\n\nHigh Street was not crowded at this time of the day, midafternoon, most men in their countinghouses, or at siesta, or at the Club. A few drunks huddled in the lee of the wharfs, the wind still gusting. Later a football match had been arranged, Navy versus Army on their parade ground, and Tyrer was looking forward to it, but not to the meeting with Jamie McFay he had had to agree to, after the tailor's." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He's head of Struan's here, Nakama-san, somehow he'd found out about you, and that you can speak some English. He's to be trusted.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'their' 2 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So ka? Struan? The man who is to marry?\"\n\n\"Oh, the servants told you about the engagement party? No, McFay's just their head merchant. Mr. Struan, the tai-pan, is the one who's going to be married. That's his building, warehouse, offices and living quarters.\"\n\n\"So ka?\" Hiraga studied it. Difficult to attack or get into, he thought. Barred lower windows. \"This Struan, also his woman, they stay there?\"\n\nTyrer's mind leapt to Fujiko and he said absently, \"Struan does, I'm not sure about her. In London, this building would be nothing compared to ordinary houses, thousands upon thousands. London's the richest city in the world.\"\n\n\"Richer than Yedo?\"\n\nTyrer laughed. \"Richer than twenty, fifty Yedos, how do I say that in Japanese?\"\n\nHiraga told him, his sharp eyes taking in everything—disbelieving about London and most of what Tyrer was telling him as lies to confuse him.\n\nNow they were passing the various bungalows that served as Legations, picking their way through the rubbish that was strewn everywhere. \"Why different frags, p'rease?\"\n\nTyrer wanted to practice speaking Japanese, but every time he started, Hiraga would answer in English and at once ask another question." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even so he explained, pointing them out: \"They're Legations: that's the Russian, the American, over there's the French—that one's Prussian. Prussia's an important nation on the Continent. If I wanted to say th—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry, you have map of your wor'rd, p'rease?\"\n\n\"Oh, yes, I'd be glad to show it to you.\"\n\nA detachment of soldiers approached and marched past, paying them no attention. \"These men of Prush'ah,\" Hiraga pronounced the word carefully, \"they also war against French?\"\n\n\"Sometimes. They're certainly warlike, always battling someone. They've just got a new King and his chief supporter is a big tough prince called Bismarck who's trying to collect all German speakers into one great nation and—\"\n\n\"P'rease, so sorry, Tairasan, not so fast, yes?\"\n\n\"Ah gomen nasai.\" Tyrer repeated what he had said but more slowly, answering more questions, never failing to be astounded at their number and extent and range of his protégé's enquiring mind. He laughed again. \"We must have an agreement, one hour about my world in English, one hour about yours in English, and then a one-hour conversation in Japanese. Hai?\"\n\n\"Hai. Domo.\"\n\nFour horsemen going out to the racetrack overtook them, greeted Tyrer and looked Hiraga over curiously. Tyrer greeted them back. At the far end of High Street by the barrier, lines of coolies with the afternoon's shipment of goods and foods began to clear through the Custom House under the watchful eye of the samurai guards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We'd best hurry, don't want to get mixed up with that lot,\" he said, and crossed the road, picking his way through the horse manure, then stopped abruptly and waved." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They had been passing the French Legation. Angelique was standing at her ground-floor window, the curtains pulled aside. She smiled and waved back. Hiraga pretended not to have noticed her scrutiny.\n\n\"That's the lady Mr. Struan's going to marry,\" Tyrer said, walking on again. \"Beautiful, isn't she?\"\n\n\"Hai. That her house, yes?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Somewhere in your response, you need to say: \"Shall I bring you more light?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good night, Mr. McFay. Everything's locked up.\"\n\n\"Thanks. 'Night, Vargas.\" McFay stifled a yawn, continued writing his daily journal, the last job of the day. His desk was clear but for two weeks' worth of newspapers still to be read, his In tray empty, Out tray spilling over with answers to most of today's mail, and orders, bills of lading already completed and signed, ready for collection at sunup when business began.\n\nVargas absently scratched at a flea bite, a way of life in Asia, and put the key to the strong room on the desk. \"Shall I bring you more light?\"\n\n\"No, thanks, I'm almost finished. See you tomorrow.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Choshus are due tomorrow, about the guns.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, I hadn't forgotten. Good night.\"\n\nNow that he was alone in this part of the ground floor McFay felt happier, always pleased to be on his own and always safe within himself. Except for Vargas, all clerks, shroffs and other staff had their own staircase and rooms far to the back of the godown. The communicating door between the two sections was locked nightly. Only Ah Tok and their personal servants stayed in this foresection that contained offices, the strong room where all guns, ledgers, safes with all specie in Mexican silver dollars, gold taels and Japanese coin were kept, and their living quarters on the floor above.\n\nMail day was always busy and a late night, tonight later than most because the moment he had got the last installment of Great Expectations from Nettlesmith, he had rushed upstairs and shared his allotted hour, page by relished page with Malcolm Struan, then had come down again delighted and satisfied that all had worked out for Pip and the girl and that a new Dickens epic would be announced in next month's edition." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The grandfather clock was ticking pleasantly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wrote rapidly with a fine clear hand:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "MS was enraged with his mother's letter in today's mail (Steamship Swift Wind, a day late, one man lost overboard in storm off Shanghai, also she had to run the gauntlet in the Shimonoseki Straits, the shore batteries firing perhaps twenty rounds, without hurt, thank God!)." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word restriction: Use 'again' 2 time(s) only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My reply to my Mrs. S's cannonade today was honeyed (she has not yet heard about the party that will cause an explosion from Hong Kong to Java) but doubt if it will smooth any waters.\n\nI informed her that A had moved over to the French Legation but don't think that will mean a damn to Mrs. S, though MS was fretful all day that A hadn't visited him and again swore at Ah Tok, putting her in a filthy mood—which she passed on to all the other servants, ayeeyah!\n\nI must record in spite of all his pain that MS is much wiser than I imagined, with an excellent grasp of business generally, and international trade, and now accepts my view that there is great potential here. We discussed the Brock problem and agreed there was nothing to be done from here but as soon as he returned to HK, he would deal with them. Again he refused to consider returning on the mail ship—Hoag fence sits and is not my ally, saying the longer Malcolm rests here, the better—a bad voyage could be traumatic.\n\nHad a first meeting with this Japanese Nakama (that has to be an alias) who is certainly more than he pretends to be." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A samurai, a ronin outlaw, who can speak some English, who would cut his hair because he has decided to give up his samurai status, who seeks to wear our clothes, has to be out of the ordinary, and watched carefully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If half of what he says is true, then we have made—through Tyrer, bless him—a major intelligence step forward. Pity that Nakama knows nothing about business, his only usable information was that Osaka is Japan's main business center, not Yedo, so all the more reason to press for the opening of that city as soon as possible. Nakama is certainly to be cultivated and...\n\nThere was a tap on one of the shutters. He glanced at the clock, almost ten. An hour late. Never mind, Asian time's different to our time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without haste he got up, slipped the small revolver into the side pocket of his frock coat, went to his private door and unlocked it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside were two women muffled in hooded cloaks, with a manservant. They all bowed. He beckoned the women in, gave a few coins to the man who thanked him, bowed again and went back down the side alley towards the Yoshiwara.\n\nMcFay relocked the door. \"Heya, Nemi, you all same pretty, neh?\" He smiled and hugged one of them.\n\nThe girl beamed at him from under her hood, a sparkle to her, his musume for a year and kept by him for half that time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Heya, Jami-san, you-ah gud, heya? This musume my sister, Shizuka. Pretty, neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nervously the other girl moved her hood aside, forced a smile." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Mandatory: Your text must contain 'wound' 2 times exactly" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He began to breathe again—Shizuka was as young as Nemi, as attractive and fragrant. \"Hai!\" he said, and both were relieved that she had passed initial scrutiny. This was the first time McFay had ever arranged a girl for someone else. Awkwardly, he had asked Nemi to make sure the mama-san understood the girl was for the tai-pan and therefore had to be special. Both girls were in their early twenties, barely coming up to his shoulder, both more at ease now though completely aware the real hurdle had yet to be surmounted.\n\n\"Shizuka, I please you see. Tai-pan top man,\" he said kindly, then to Nemi, patting his side where Struan's wound was, \"She understand about wound, neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nemi nodded, her white teeth sparkling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hai, I 'sp'rain, Jami-san! Dozo, 'reave coat here, or up'stair?\"\n\n\"Upstairs.\"\n\nHe led the way up the great staircase, well lit with oil lamps, Nemi chattering to the new girl who was all eyes. It was his custom, from time to time, to send for Nemi to spend the night here, the manservant returning just before dawn to escort her back to the little dwelling he had bought for her within the grounds of her house, the Inn of Succulent Joy. Ten gold sovereigns it had cost him for a five-year lease for the house after days of haggling. Another ten for her contract for the same period, plus extra for a new kimono each month, hairdressing, a personal maid, and saké." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But Mama-san, what if fire burn house down, heya?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he had asked, appalled that he was agreeing to such a huge price though the extraordinarily advantageous exchange rate gave them a profit of four hundred percent most months—which meant that almost everyone could keep a pony or two, consume champagne at will, and more importantly guaranteed that Nemi's running expenses would not amount to more than a few pounds yearly.\n\nThe mama-san was shocked. \"Bui'd 'rike new. You pay ha'f price, fair, neh?\"\n\nNemi, present at the final negotiation, had laughed. \"P'renti fire in house, Jami-san, p'renti jig jig, neh?\"\n\nWhen McFay reached the top of the stairs he gave her another happy hug for no reason, other than she had proved to be worth every farthing, giving him so much pleasure and so much peace." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the landing was a large high-back chair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nemi took off her cloak and hood, telling the other girl to do likewise, leaving them there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neat and pretty kimonos underneath, hair well coiffured—chrysalis into butterfly. Pleased with himself he knocked on the door.\n\n\"Come in.\"\n\nMalcolm Struan sat in his chair, a cheroot smoldering between his fingers, elegant in his dressing gown but ill at ease. \"Hello, Jamie.\"\n\n\"Evening, Tai-pan.\" Both girls bowed with great deference, McFay quite unaware that almost everything about Malcolm Struan—as well as himself and most gai-jin—was common knowledge and the subject of constant and avid Yoshiwara gossip, his enormous wealth, that he had recently become tai-pan, the circumstances of his wound and now impending marriage. \"This's Shizuka, she'll stay with you. The servant'll arrive just before dawn, everything as I told you. I'll knock first. She may be a bit shy but, well, no problem. This's my musume, Nemi. I, er, I thought it best, the first time, to bring her along to make things easier.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both girls bowed again. \"Heya, Tai-pan,\" Nemi said in complete control, delighted to meet him and confident with her choice. \"Shizuka sister my, good musume, heya!\" She nodded vigorously and gave Shizuka a little push. The girl went over to him, hesitantly, knelt and bowed again.\n\n\"I'll be in my rooms if you need me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thanks, Jamie.\"\n\nMcFay closed the door quietly, went further down the corridor. His suite was tidy, masculine and comfortable. Three rooms, sitting room, bedroom, spare bedroom, all with fireplaces, and a bathroom. On the sideboard were cold cuts, fresh bread and her favorite, a freshly baked apple pie, the apples imported from Shanghai. Saké in a container of hot water, and Loch Vey whisky from Struan's own distillery that she adored." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The moment the door was bolted she stood on tiptoe and kissed him hungrily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No see six day, first bed-u then ba'f!\" she said, reversing the usual order. His heart picked up a beat though he was in no hurry.\n\nShe took him by the hand, led him into the bedroom and half pushed him onto the bed, knelt to pull off his boots and began to undress him, all the time chattering in her half-comprehensible pidgin, telling him that the Yoshiwara was abuzz with business, the Floating World prosperous, not to worry about Shizuka, she was expensive but the best, and what was this they hear about war and please we do not want war, just business, and I have a new kimono with lucky carp all over it that was, well, a little expensive, \"but ichiban, Jami-san, you-ah 'rike veri. Bed-u!\"\n\nObediently he got into the four-poster. The night was perfect, neither hot nor cool." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She untied her obi, let the kimono fall, then her under-kimono and slip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Quite naked, completely without guilt or shame about nudity like all musume—one of the many characteristics that set them apart, and one that McFay and all gai-jin found so astounding and enviable—she took the pins from her hair, shook it and let it fall to her waist and marched triumphantly to the bathroom and the first delight of the evening.\n\nShe sat on the toilet and reached up for the handle to the chain of the water closet and pulled. The water roared down into the porcelain bowl and, as always, she clapped her hands with glee.\n\nThe first time she had seen it she had not believed it. \"Where wat'er go?\" she asked suspiciously. He had explained and drawn pictures but she still would not believe him until he had shown her the pipes and taken her into the garden where the manhole cover of the septic tank was—all pipes, water tanks, boilers, toilet bowls, hand basins, sinks, taps and the three baths imported from England, Hong Kong and Shanghai where many pieces were beginning to be manufactured for the vast Indian and Asian markets." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had begged him to allow her to show her friends." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Proudly he had agreed because this was the first such installation in all Japan, to Sir William's chagrin and Norbert Greyforth's fury, and now the pattern of the dozen or so working and nonworking copies, though not all with hot and cold water: nothing but the best and most modern, therefore British, for Struan's.\n\nSo guided tours of the privileged few to examine the Jami-san cleansing room became one of the most sought-after sights of gai-jin Yokohama, the chattering musume like so many exotic birds, bowing and sucking in their breaths and pulling the chain to gasps of wonder and applause.\n\nNemi washed her hands. With a contented sigh, she slipped under the sheets beside him." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phillip Tyrer was spent and almost asleep." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fujiko bore his weight comfortably, then began to ease away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Iyé, matsu.\" No, don't move... wait, he murmured." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I just want to fetch a towel, Tairasan. Towel, do you understand?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, ah yes. Understand towel. You stay I get...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, no, I would lose face, it is my duty. Let me go, please... Now do not be difficult or naughty.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She chuckled as he nuzzled her and held on but she was deft and knew her craft well and waited." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now the small room was peaceful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside the night was fair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wind rustled the trees and bushes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few drafts from around the sliding windows, not yet cold or unpleasant. Flickering oil lamp." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a moment she slid away without disturbing his tranquility and went to the little bathroom with its high wooden tub, filled to the brim with hot water, which was on a wooden grill to allow the water to flow away when the bung was pulled out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Scented soap and chamber pot and fresh towels." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Quickly she used a damp towel and dried herself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she came back she brought a hot towel, sponged him then dried him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the while his eyes were tightly closed and he was near moaning with pleasure, at the same time embarrassed that she was doing it for him, not he for her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Fujiko-chan, you are wonderful.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, it is my pleasure,\" she said, long over her wonder and embarrassment at the strange habits of the foreigners: that they rarely bathed, were usually consumed with shame and guilt over pillow pleasures, were astoundingly possessive and usually furious that she had other clients—stupid, what were they but clients?—or turning away, blushing, when she was undressing for their enjoyment, or covering themselves when only half naked, preferring to fornicate in the dark when everyone knew much of the thrill was to see, examine and observe, or were embarrassed purple when she attempted normal variations to prevent boredom and to prolong and increase Moments with the Gods—the time of the Clouds and the Rain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, gai-jin aren't like us." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They almost always favor First Position with Urgency, occasionally Baiting the Hen or Cherry Blossom Time, so allowing me no opportunity to demonstrate my skills, or when, in the light, I would position myself to play with the One-Eyed Monk the many games of uplifting such as Near and Far, Over the Dragon, Springtime Planting, Stealing the Honey that even the most unpracticed youth would require and appreciate, a gai-jin would jerk away, firmly but gently pull me up alongside him, kiss my neck, hold tight and mumble incomprehensibles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She murmured, \"Now I'll massage you to sleep.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Don't understand. Mess'erge?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Massage, Tairasan. Like this.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, now I understand. Massage, thank you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her fingers were gentle and wonderful and he drifted away, hardly believing his luck, proud of his performance and that she had ecstatically finished three times at least to his once—and never mind that Raiko had said that tomorrow Fujiko had to visit her village, near Yedo, to see her sick grandfather, \"... but only for a few days, Tairasan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, so sorry, Raiko-san. Please, how many day 'way?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How many days will she be away? Only three.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, thank you. How many days will she be away?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer repeated—he had asked her and Fujiko, always to correct him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Three days. That will give me time to recover." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My God, that was the best." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wonder what will happen when the roju get our dispatch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm sure my advice's correct and that Nakama is telling the truth—God, I've a lot to thank him for, Sir William was positively beaming, and as for Fujiko..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lulled by her touch, his mind began a jumble of Nakama and her and being in Japan and everything so different and learning Japanese, incessant words and phrases leaping forward untidily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The futons were hard and difficult to get used to but he was comfortable, lying on his stomach, enjoying her nearness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, but I'm tired." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can't stand the idea of \"other clients,\" he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Got to make her mine, just mine." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tomorrow I'll ask André to help me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Without turning he reached back, put his hand on her thigh. Lovely silky skin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where was I? Oh yes, the roju." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We'll give the buggers what-for." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bloody awful about the mail ship being fired on—we've just got to make Shimonoseki safe and if the bloody Bakufu won't do it that means taking out those batteries ourselves." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Must remember to be careful about that with Nakama, mustn't forget he's from Choshu too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Could I use him as a go between?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "And if the roju won't deal with those Satsuma devils we'll have to crush them ourselves." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bloody effrontery of the daimyo saying that he can't find Canterbury's murderers, the bastards came out of his own ranks for God's sake, I saw them hack off Canterbury's arm and the blood sprayed..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her fingers froze. \"What's the matter, Tairasan?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before he knew it he was hugging her, wanting to block out the Tokaidō, and then, when the trembling had stopped he lay back, pulling her with him and held on to her, the warm pliant length of her against him, loving her, so thankful to be with her, waiting for the bad to return to its recess." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She lay quiet, also waiting, not thinking about him except that once more gai-jin proved to be curious indeed, beyond understanding." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was comfortable resting against him and she was glad that the first explosion had been achieved properly, that the client was satisfied, so she could safely believe she had earned her extra fee." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Raiko was assigning all their appointments this morning, the mama-san had told her she was putting up her rate: \"With Taira, only, because you will have extra work. Remember he could be a big fish for you, Fujiko, a long-term patron much better than Kant-er-bury-san if we're careful and if you please him. Frenchy tells me he's an important official so strive hard to please him. Only speak Japanese, no pidgin, become a teacher, encourage him, and remember he is ridiculously shy and knows nothing and never mention Kant-er-bury. We will pretend you have to go away for a few days—but do not worry, I have two clients for you tomorrow, in the afternoon a gai-jin, a civilized person at night...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "With a generous patron for a year or two I could quickly pay off my debts, and life would be much better than having to take whatever client was available, she thought, then contentedly abandoned the present as she always tried to do when with a client, projecting herself into the future where she lived happily with her rich farmer husband and four or five sons." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She could see their farmhouse amid their many rice fields, abundant with green shoots of winter or spring plantings, promising another rich harvest, her mother-in-law kind and pleased with her, a bullock or two tethered to a plow, flowers in the little garden and..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Fujiko. Thank you, you are wonderful!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She nestled closer and said how strong and manly he was." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What?\" he asked sleepily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of her hands answered intimately and he twisted." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, Fujiko, please, first sleep. No... please, later...\"\n\n\"Ah, but a strong man like you...\" she murmured, hid her boredom, and continued dutifully." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori yawned and took his eye away from the spy hole. \"I've seen enough,\" he whispered. \"Shocking.\"\n\n\"I agree.\" Hiraga kept his voice down too. \"Terrible. Fujiko's performance was the worst I've ever seen. Baka!\"\n\n\"If I was Taira I would demand my money back.\"\n\n\"I agree. Baka! She won't have him ready for hours and as for him... only First Position once and talk about urgency! Ten thrusts and poof, Over the Moon like a duck.\"\n\nOri had to hold his hand over his mouth to stop the laughter, then carefully he stuck little pieces of paper to cover the holes they had made in the far corner of the shoji screen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together they slipped away into the bushes, through the secret gate in the fence, and thence to Ori's dwelling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Saké!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Half asleep the maid set the tray in front of them, poured and shuffled away, still finding it difficult not to stare at their heads." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They toasted each other and refilled the cups, the room small and pleasant, candle-lit, with bed futons already made up in the adjoining room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Swords were on low lacquer racks—Raiko had bent the Yoshiwara rule forbidding weapons within the walls because they were shishi, because of Hiraga's portrait and because both had sworn by sonno-joi not to use the weapons against anyone in the House, or any guest, and only in defense.\n\n\"I cannot believe Taira was taken in by her faked Moment with the Gods, Hiraga, one after another like that! Her acting was terrible. Is he that stupid?\"\n\n\"Obviously.\" Hiraga laughed and rubbed the back and sides of his head vigorously. \"Eeee, with that sized weapon he should have really made her squeal—are all gai-jin built like that?\"\n\n\"Who cares—in his case it is wasted.\"\n\n\"No finesse, Ori! Perhaps I should get him a pillow book like a virgin bride, eh?\"\n\n\"Better we kill him and them and fire the Settlement.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Be patient, we will, there is plenty of time.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He is a perfect target, it is another perfect opportunity,\" Ori said, an edge creeping into his voice.\n\nHiraga watched him, all warmth gone of a sudden. \"Yes, but not now, he's too important.\"\n\n\"You said yourself if we could infuriate them enough they'd bombard Yedo and that would be wonderful for our cause.\"\n\n\"Yes, you are right, but we have time.\" Hiraga showed none of his concern, appeasing him, wanting him controlled. \"Taira is answering all my questions. For instance, no one told us gai-jin fight each other like wild dogs, worse than daimyos before Toranaga—the Dutch hid that from us, eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They are all liars and barbarians.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, but there must be hundreds of bits of information like that, that will unlock the way to play them, and dominate them. We must learn everything, Ori, and then, when we're part of the new Bakufu, we will set German against Russian against Frenchman against Ing'erish against American...\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'native' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga shivered, remembering the little Tyrer had told him about that civil war, the battles and casualties, all the modern weapons and hundreds of thousands of armed men involved, and the unbelievable vastness of the gai-jin lands. \"This evening he said the Inger'ish Navy rules the world oceans, that by their law is twice as big as the next two navies combined, with hundreds of men-o'-war, thousands of cannon.\"\n\n\"Lies. Exaggeration to frighten you. He and all of them want us cowed, you as much as any. He wants our secrets too!\"\n\n\"I only give him what I think he should know.\" Hiraga belched irritably. \"Ori, we've got to learn about them! These dogs have conquered most of the world—humbled China and burned Peking, and this year the French became overlords of Cochin-China and are set to colonize Cambodia.\"\n\n\"Yes, but the French played native prince against native prince like the British in India. This is Japan. We're different—this is the Land of the Gods. With all the cannon in the world they will never conquer us.\" Ori's face twisted strangely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Even if they seduce some daimyos to their side, even then, the rest of us will slaughter them.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not without cannon and knowledge.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Without cannon, yes, Hiraga-san.\"\n\nHiraga shrugged and poured for both of them. There were many shishi who shared Ori's zeal—and had forgotten Sun-tzu: Know your enemy as you know yourself and you will win a hundred battles. \"I hope you are right, meanwhile I will find out as much as I can. Tomorrow he promised to let me look at a map of the world—he called it an 'at'ras.'\"\n\n\"How do you know it will not be false, made up?\"\n\n\"That is not likely, not falsifying one. Perhaps I could even get a copy, we could have it translated—and some of their schoolbooks.\" Hiraga's excitement picked up." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Taira said they have new skills in counting, taught in ordinary schools, and astronomy measurers called 'rong-tit-tude, 'ra-tit-ude,\" Hiraga pronounced the English words with difficulty, \"that somehow guide them with fantastic accuracy on the oceans, a thousand ri from land. Baka that I know so little! Baka that I cannot read English!\"\n\n\"You will,\" Ori said. \"I never will. You will be part of our new government—I never will.\"\n\n\"Why say that?\"\n\n\"I worship sonno-joi, I have already thought of my death poem, and spoken it. I told it to Shorin, the night of the attack. Baka that he got himself killed too soon.\" Ori drained his cup and poured the last drops and ordered a new flask. He looked at Hiraga narrowly." }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"My father wrote to me about that. It means nothing to us—to Choshu shishi.\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I heard your Lord Ogama will pardon any Choshu shishi who publicly forswears sonno-joi.\"\n\nHiraga nodded. \"My father wrote to me about that. It means nothing to us—to Choshu shishi.\"\n\n\"There is a rumor that Ogama controls the Gates, excluding everyone else—even that there's new fighting between his troops and Satsumas.\"\n\n\"Many daimyos are misguided, from time to time,\" Hiraga said levelly, not liking the way the conversation was going, noticing that, in his cups, Ori was ever more quarrelsome. Tonight Raiko had again warned him that Ori was a smoking volcano. \"We all agreed long ago not to be bound by the deeds or misdeeds of our hereditary leaders.\"\n\n\"If Ogama holds the Gates he could give back power to the Emperor and make sonno-joi a fact.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps he will, perhaps he has already.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori drained the cup." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I will be glad to leave Yokohama. Poison is in the air. Better you come to Kyōto with me. This nest of liars may infect you.\"\n\n\"You will be safer on the road to Kyōto without me. Even without my hair I could be recognized.\"\n\nA sudden gust tugged at the roof thatch and rattled a half-opened shutter. They glanced at it momentarily, then went back to drinking. The saké had loosened them but had not dispelled the undercurrents, thoughts of death and the net tightening around them, or of the planned ambush of Shōgun Nobusada, of Shorin and Sumomo, and most of all, what about the gai-jin girl? Hiraga had not yet mentioned her nor had Ori yet asked about her but both were waiting, both circling this central issue, both impatient and still undecided.\n\nOri broke the silence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When Akimoto arrives tomorrow how much are you going to tell him?\"\n\n\"Everything we know. He will travel to Kyōto with you.\"\n\n\"No, better he stays, you will need a fighter here.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\nAgain Ori shrugged. \"Two are better than one. Now,\" he said flatly, \"tell me where she is.\"\n\nHiraga described the place. Exactly. \"There were no bars on the windows or side door I could see.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "All day he had been wondering what to do about Ori—if Ori broke into the house and killed her, whether he lived or died, the whole Settlement would be in an uproar and their venom would first turn on every Japanese within reach." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I agree she is a correct target for sonno-joi but not yet, not while I am accepted by them and learning so many of their secrets.\"\n\n\"Such a perfect target should be dealt with at once. Katsumata said to hesitate is to lose. We can get those secrets out of books.\"\n\n\"I have already said: I do not agree.\"\n\n\"At the same time I kill her we fire the Yoshiwara and thus the Settlement, the three of us, and retreat in the confusion. We do it two days from now.\"\n\n\"No.\"\n\n\"I say yes! Two or three days, no more!\"\n\nHiraga thought about that, and Ori, very carefully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Icily. Then again he decided: \"It-is-forbidden.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The finality of the words washed over Ori. For the second time in as few days. Both times over her.\n\nNo sound in the room now. Both impassive. Outside they could hear the wind. It had dropped a little. From time to time it crackled the shoji's oiled paper." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori sipped, seething, implacably committed but showing none of it, knowing that if both his arms were as strong as before and he was as agile as before, he would be readying to dive for his sword to fend off the attack that, unless he surrendered, was inevitable." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind. In a direct fight, even if I were totally fit, Hiraga would always beat me to the first cut." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Therefore he must be removed from my path in another way.\n\nWith a will to match the new enemy who was determined to thwart him, Ori vowed he would not be the first to break the silence and so lose face. Pressure between them soared. In seconds it became unbearable, now cresting...\n\nRunning footsteps. The shoji slid back. Raiko was chalky. \"Bakufu Enforcer patrols are on the bridge and at the Gate. You must leave. Hurry!\"\n\nBoth were aghast, all else forgotten." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They went for their swords. \"Will they come into the Yoshiwara?\" Ori asked.\n\n\"Yes, in twos and threes, they have before, avoiding gai-jin but not us.\" Her voice trembled like her hands.\n\n\"Is there a safe way out through the paddy?\"\n\n\"Everywhere and nowhere, Ori,\" Hiraga said for her, having examined that as a possible escape route yesterday. \"The land's flat with no cover for a ri. If they're blocking the Gate and the bridge they'll be there too.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about the gai-jin area, Raiko?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The Settlement? They've never gone there. You mus—\" She whirled, even more frightened. Both men jerked their swords half out, while a white-faced maid rushed up. \"They are in the lane, making a house-to-house search,\" she whimpered.\n\n\"Warn the others.\"\n\nThe girl fled. Hiraga tried to get his brain working. \"Raiko, where is your safe place, your secret cellar?\"\n\n\"We have none,\" she said, wringing her hands." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There must be one somewhere.\"\n\nAbruptly Ori snaked over to her and she backed off, terrified. \"Where's the secret way into the Settlement? Quick!\"\n\nRaiko almost fainted as he shifted his grip on his sword hilt and though not actually menaced, she knew she was near death. \"I... into the Settlement? I—I'm not sure but—but years ago I was—was told... I'd forgotten,\" she said, trembling. \"I'm not sure, but—but please follow quietly.\"\n\nThey stayed close to her, going deep in the bushes, careless of the branches that fought to prevent their passage, the moon still good and high between scudding clouds, the wind tugging at them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she reached a hidden part of the fence between her Inn and the next, she pressed a knot in the wood." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A section creaked open, the wooden hinges grimed and unused." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without disturbing the carousers, she crossed this garden to the far side, through a gate into another garden and around the back, past the low, bricked, fireproof structure that served as a safe for valuables, to where the large water tanks, or wells were—the tanks part filled by rainwater, part by daily lines of water coolies." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Panting, she motioned at the wooden cover over a well." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I think... I think it is there.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga eased the cover aside. Crude, rusty iron bars as footholds and handholds were hammered into the mud brick walls, no sign of water below. Still frightened she whispered, \"I was told it leads to a tunnel... I am not sure but I was told it goes under the canal but where it comes out I do not know. I had forgotten about it... I must get back...\"\n\n\"Wait!\" Ori stepped in her way, picked up a stone and dropped it into the well. A loud plop as it hit water far below. \"Who made this?\"\n\n\"Bakufu, I was told, when they built the Settlement.\"\n\n\"Who told you about it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"One of the manservants—I forget who, but he had seen them...\" They all looked over towards the main street." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angry voices there. \"I have to get back...\" She vanished the way she had come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uneasily they peered below. \"If the Bakufu built it, Ori, it could be a trap, for people like us.\"\n\nFrom one of the nearby houses the sound of voices cursing in English: \"What the hell d'you want... push off!\"\n\nOri stuck his long sword in his belt. Awkwardly because of his shoulder, he slid over the lip and began to descend. Hiraga followed, replacing the cover.\n\nThe blackness seemed ever more black, then Ori's feet hit earth again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Careful, I think it is a ledge.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His voice was strangled and echoed eerily.\n\nHiraga groped down beside him. In his sleeve pocket were some safety matches and he scraped one alight.\n\n\"Eeee,\" Ori said excitedly, \"where did you get that?\"\n\n\"They have them everywhere in the Legation—those dogs are so rich they just leave them around. Taira said to help myself. Look there!\" In the last of the match they saw the mouth of the tunnel. It was dry and the height of a man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Water filled the well ten feet below them. In a niche was an old candle. It took Hiraga three matches to light it. \"Come on.\"\n\nThe tunnel sloped downwards. After fifty paces or so it became wet, the floor puddled and awash in parts. Fetid water seeped down from the roughly shored roof and sides, the wood rotting and unsafe. As they went onwards the air became more rancid, breathing difficult." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We can wait here, Ori.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, go on.\"\n\nThey were sweating, in part from fear, in part from the closeness. The flame guttered and went out. Cursing, Hiraga lit it and cupped the flame, not much of the wick left or of the candle. He waded onwards, the water level rising. Still the roof sloped downwards, now the water to their hips. Ori slipped but regained his footing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another twenty or thirty paces. Water still rising. Now to their waists, the roof not far above their heads. On wards. Candle weakening. On again.\n\nHiraga was watching the candle, cursing. \"Better we go back and wait in the dry part.\"\n\n\"No, go on until the candle goes out.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ahead the tunnel curled into the blackness, the roof lowering to not far above the water. Nauseated, Hiraga waded forward again, the bottom slippery. More paces. The roof pressed against his head. More, and now the roof rose slightly. \"Water level is going down,\" he said, sick with relief, wading faster, the murk stinking. Around the bend, roof higher now. Onwards. Just before the candle spluttered and died they saw dry earth and the tunnel end, a shaft leading up, another down." }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'seconds' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga groped forward, unable to see anything. \"Ori, now I am at the edge. Listen, I will toss a stone down into it.\" The stone took seconds and seconds ricocheting before it plopped dully. \"Eeee, it must go down a hundred feet or more,\" he said, his stomach heaving.\n\n\"Light another match.\"\n\n\"I have only three left.\" Hiraga lit one. They could see rusty, precarious footholds leading upwards, nothing more." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must include the following in quotes somewhere in your response: Hurry up, I hate it here. Climb!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How did you know Raiko knew about this?\"\n\n\"It was a sudden thought. There had to be a tunnel—I would have built one if I had been them.\" Ori's voice was hoarse, heavy breathing. \"They could be up there, in ambush. They will shove us back, or we will have to jump.\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Hurry up, I hate it here. Climb!\"\n\nEqually uncomfortable, Hiraga eased his long sword in his belt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori backed nervously, gripping his sword hilt. Abruptly the two men faced each other, near safety perhaps, but nothing solved between them.\n\nThe match guttered and went out.\n\nIn the blackness they could no longer see each other. Without thinking each had at once retreated against the tunnel wall away from the lip. Hiraga, more battle cunning, dropping to one knee, his hand on his hilt ready to slash the legs from under Ori if he attacked, listening intently for a sword sliding from its sheath.\n\n\"Hiraga!\" Ori's voice rasped out of the black, well out of range, further away down the tunnel." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I want her dead. I will go after her—for sonno-joi and me. You want to stay. Solve the problem.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silently Hiraga stood. \"You solve it,\" he hissed, and at once, soundlessly, changed positions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I cannot. I cannot solve it, I have tried.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga hesitated, expecting a trick." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"First put your swords down.\"\n\n\"And then?\"\n\n\"Next: because she obsesses you above sonno-joi, you will not be armed near me in Yokohama, you will leave for Kyōto tomorrow and tell Katsumata, he is your Satsuma leader. When you return we will do it, everything as you said.\"\n\n\"And if I do not return?\"\n\n\"Then I will do it—in a time of my choosing.\"\n\nThe voice grated even more. \"But she could leave, escape, neh? What if she leaves before I return?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'waited' 3 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I will make sure I hear about any move and will send you word. If you cannot be here in time, I will decide. She—and her husband if by then they're married—they will only go to Hong Kong. You—or we—can follow her there.\" He heard Ori's heavy breathing and waited, on guard against a sudden rush, knowing he could not trust Ori while she was alive and near but this seemed to be the best plan for the moment. Killing him would be a waste. I need his wisdom. \"You agree?\"\n\nHe waited. And waited. Then, \"Yes. What else?\"\n\n\"Last: the cross, you will throw it down the well.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga heard a sudden, angry intake of breath. The silence grew.\n\n\"I agree, Hiraga-san. Please accept my apologies.\"\n\nThen his sharp ears heard the slight sound of cloth being moved, something went past him and then the tiny sound of metal hitting the well wall behind him, almost immediately to vanish below. Sound of swords being grounded.\n\nHiraga lit a match. Indeed now Ori was standing defenseless. At once Hiraga darted forward, Ori rushed back in panic but Hiraga only collected the swords." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before the match died he had had time to throw the swords also into the well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Please obey me, Ori. Then you have nothing to fear. I will go first, wait till I call down to you.\"\n\nThe rungs were jagged with rust, some loose. The ascent was precarious. Then, far above, thankfully he saw the mouth of the well open to the sky, speckles of stars between clouds. Night sounds, wind and sea. Climbing again but more cautiously. It took all of his strength to ease himself up to the stone balustrade and peer around." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the morning light in Yedo Castle, Misamoto—the fisherman, fake samurai, and Yoshi's spy—was trembling on his knees in front of the alarmed Council of Elders, the English version of Sir William's reply shaking in his hand. Beside him cowered a Bakufu official.\n\n\"Speak up, fisherman!\" Anjo, the chief Elder repeated, the audience room hushed and tense and chill. \"Never mind if you don't understand all the Ing'erish words, we want to know if the Bakufu official translated the message accurately? Is that what the gai-jin message says? Exactly?\"\n\n\"It's, well, yes, more or less, yes, Sire,\" Misamoto mumbled, so frightened he could hardly speak. \"It's as the lord Official... more or less, Sire... more... or...\"\n\n\"Have you seaweed for a tongue, fish offal for brains? Hurry up! Lord Toranaga says you can read Ing'erish—read!\" An hour ago Anjo had been awakened by the unnerved Bakufu official who had brought Sir William's reply in Dutch and English. Hastily Anjo had convened a meeting of the Council where the official had just repeated his translation of the Dutch. \"What does the paper say in Ing'erish?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Well, Sire, yes, it's, er...\" Again Misamoto's voice died away, once more choked with panic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Exasperated Anjo looked at Yoshi. \"This fish head is your spy,\" he said with just the right amount of ice. \"It was your idea to fetch him, please make him speak up.\"\n\n\"Tell us what the letter says, Misamoto,\" Yoshi said kindly, inwardly almost blind with frustration and anger. \"No one is going to hurt you. In your own words. The truth.\"\n\n\"Well, Sire, it's more or less as... more or less as the lord Official said, Sire,\" Misamoto stuttered, \"but this's, this letter's, I don't know all the words, Sire, but some of them... well, well...\" His face was twisted with fear.\n\nYoshi waited a moment. \"Go on, Misamoto, don't be afraid, speak the truth, whatever it is. No one will touch you. We need the truth.\"\n\n\"Well, Sire, the gai-jin leader.\" Misamoto tried not to stammer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He says he's going to Osaka in eleven days as the Official said, but not—not to make a—a 'Ceremonial visit'...\" He quailed under the strength of their eyes, so terrified that now his nose was running and saliva dribbled down his chin, then he blurted out, \"He's not at all happy in fact he's strongly angry and he's going... going to Osaka with his fleet, going in force to Kyōto with cannon, sixty-pounders, and cavalry and soldiers to see the Son of Heaven and the Lord Shogun—he's even named them, Sire, Emperor Komei and the boy Shōgun, Nobusada.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone gasped, even the guards—normally impassive and not supposed to be listening. Misamoto shoved his head to the tatami and kept it there.\n\nYoshi pointed at the Bakufu official who blanched as all attention focused on him. \"Is that correct?\"\n\n\"Ceremonial visit, Sire? For your august ears that should be the correct translation... the barbarian wording is rude and uncouth and should, I sincerely believe, be correctly construed as a Ceremonial, State visit, an—\"\n\n\"Does it say with 'cannon and cavalry' and such?\"\n\n\"In principle, Sire, the lett—\"\n\nTo everyone's shock, Yoshi almost shouted, \"Yes or no?\"\n\nThe Official swallowed, aghast that he was ordered to answer so directly, the first time in his life, and appalled that he was being challenged and ordinary rules and manners and the niceties of diplomacy were being disregarded. \"I regret to inform you that, in principle, it does mention those but such an impertinence is clearly a mistake and—\"\n\n\"Why did you not translate accurately?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For august ears, Sire, it is necessary to interpret—\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Mandatory: Your text must contain 'official' 2 times exactly" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Are those august persons named? Yes or no?\"\n\n\"Their names are contained but y—\"\n\n\"Are the characters of their names the correct ones?\"\n\n\"It would seem, Sire, the characters appear to be c—\"\n\n\"Write an exact translation of what it says at once.\" The raw words were said softly but the violence ricocheted off the unadorned stone walls. \"Exact! Make all future communications from them, or to them, equally exact. exact! One mistake and your head will be on a rubbish dump. Get out! Misamoto, you did very well, please wait outside.\"\n\nThe two men fled, Misamoto cursing his ill luck and the day he had agreed to accompany Perry to Japan, believing the Bakufu would welcome him for his unique knowledge, would grant him a fortune—the Official swearing to be revenged on Yoshi and this lying fisherman before the Council made good the sentence that he, a wise and correct official, could not avoid.\n\nYoshi broke the silence, his mind working frantically to formulate the next move in the never-ending conflict. \"We cannot possibly allow an armed visit to Kyōto! This proves what I have been saying all along: we must have English speakers, translators we can trust—who will tell us what their foul messages really say!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That is not necessary,\" Toyama grated, his heavy dewlaps shaking with fury. \"This gai-jin impertinence is insulting beyond belief, tantamount to a declaration of war. Such impertinence must be answered in blood.\" A rustle went through the guards. \"It is a declaration of war. Good. In three or four days I will lead the surprise attack on the Settlement and finish this nonsense once and for all.\"\n\n\"That would be baka. We dare not. Baka!\" Anjo repeated, more for the guards than anyone, easy for one to be a secret shishi admirer or sonno-joi adherent. \"How many times must I say no attack yet, not even a surprise attack.\"\n\nToyama had flushed even more. \"Yoshi-san,\" he said, \"we could smash them and burn Yokohama, neh? We could, neh? I cannot bear the shame, it's too much!\"\n\n\"You are right, of course we could destroy Yokohama, easily, but Anjo-dono is correct—we cannot get at their fleet. I suggest we continue as before,\" Yoshi said calmly, not feeling calm at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We supply them with watered soup and no fish: we offer them a meeting with the Council of Elders in thirty days, allowing ourselves to be negotiated down to eight days, delay that as long as we can.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I will only meet those dogs on a battlefield.\"\n\nYoshi curbed his temper. \"I'm sure you will do what the roju decides, but I propose you are represented by an imposter at this meeting: Misamoto.\"\n\n\"Eh?\" They all stared at him.\n\n\"He'll be a perfect substitute.\"\n\nAnjo said, \"That stupid fisherman will never b—\"\n\n\"Dressed in ceremonial clothes, taught to wear them, eight days is enough time. He looks like a samurai now though he does not act like one. Fortunately he is not stupid and he's so frightened that he will do whatever we order, and most important, he will tell the truth, which is in short supply.\" Yoshi saw Anjo redden. The others pretended not to notice.\n\n\"What then, Yoshi-san?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Next, we'll hold the meeting here in the castle.\"\n\n\"Out of the question!\" Anjo said.\n\n\"Of course we first offer Kanagawa,\" Yoshi told him irritably, \"then allow ourselves to agree to meet them here.\"\n\n\"Out of the question,\" Anjo said again to the agreement of the others.\n\n\"With the castle as bait we can delay again, perhaps even another month—their curiosity will consume them—and we only allow them into the outer area. Why not the castle? All the gai-jin leaders of their own free will within our grasp? We could take them hostage, their presence gives us a dozen chances to entwine them further.\"\n\nThey gaped at him, off balance. \"Take them hostage?\"\n\n\"A possibility, one of many,\" Yoshi said patiently, knowing he needed allies in the coming struggle. \"We must use guile and silken threads and their own weakness against them, not war—until we can match their fleets.\"\n\n\"Until then?\" Adachi spluttered. The rotund little man was the richest of them all and his Toranaga bloodline equal to Yoshi's." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You really believe we have to deal with these dogs until we have fleets to match theirs?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Or enough big cannon to keep them off our shores. We only need a sack or two of gold and they will trample over themselves to sell us the means to blow them out of our water.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi's brow darkened. \"I heard a rumor that some Choshu emissaries are already trying to buy rifles from them.\"\n\n\"Those dogs!\" Toyama spat with rage. \"Always Choshu. The sooner we put them down the better.\"\n\n\"And Satsuma,\" Anjo muttered to general agreement, and looked at Yoshi. \"And others!\"\n\nYoshi pretended not to understand what his adversary implied. Never mind, he thought, the day is coming. \"We can deal with all enemies, one at a time—not together.\"\n\nToyama said gruffly, \"I vote we order all friendly daimyos to increase taxes at once and arm. I begin tomorrow.\"\n\n\"'Advise' is a better word,\" Adachi said carefully, and drained his teacup. Delicate flowers decorated the lacquered trays that had been set in front of all of them." }, { "from": "system", "value": "At some point in your response, insert this verbatim: \"What if they do not agree and this insolent Inger'ish ape makes good his threat and leaves for Kyōto? What then? We cannot allow that, under any circumstances!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He stifled a yawn, bored and anxious to go back to bed. \"Please go on with your plan, Yoshi-dono. Until we know all the details, how can we vote on it?\"\n\n\"The morning of the meeting Anjo-sama will unfortunately be taken ill, oh, so sorry. As the whole roju is not present, we will be unable to make any binding decisions, but we will listen and try to reach a compromise. If we cannot compromise then we will, with suitable deference, agree to 'submit their desires to the full Council as soon as possible'—and delay and delay to drive them mad so they make a mistake, not us.\"\n\n\"Why should they agree to another delay?\" Anjo asked, glad that he would not have to be nose to nose with gai-jin, distrusting Yoshi, and wondering where the trick was.\n\n\"The dogs have proved they would rather talk than fight, they are cowards,\" Yoshi was saying. \"Though they could easily dominate us, it is clear they don't have the stomach for it.\"\n\n\"What if they do not agree and this insolent Inger'ish ape makes good his threat and leaves for Kyōto? What then? We cannot allow that, under any circumstances!\"\n\n\"I agree,\" Yoshi said with great finality, and everyone tensed. \"That means war—a war we must eventually lose.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Toyama said instantly, \"Better to war as men than become slaves like the Chinese, Indians and all other barbarian tribes.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'would' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The old man peered at Yoshi. \"If they land you'll vote for war?\"\n\n\"Instantly! Any attempt to land in force—anywhere—will be prevented.\"\n\n\"Good. Then I hope they land,\" Toyama said, satisfied.\n\n\"War would be very bad. I think they will talk and we can maneuver them out of this madness.\" Yoshi's voice became harsher. \"We can if we are clever enough. Meanwhile we must concentrate on more important matters: like Kyōto and taking back control of our Gates, like the hostile daimyos, like getting enough gold to buy weapons and modernize and equip our forces—and those of our trusted allies—and not allow Choshu, Tosa and Satsuma to arm under the guise of supporting us, merely to more quickly attack us.\"\n\n\"The traitor Ogama should be outlawed,\" Toyama said. \"Why don't we outlaw him and take back our Gates?\"\n\n\"To attack him now would be baka!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anjo told him sourly." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate 'reply' into your response exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It would only push Satsuma and Tosa into his arms, along with other fence sitters.\" He shifted uncomfortably, his stomach hurting him, head hurting, and no relief from the new Chinese doctor he had consulted in secret about his constant pains. \"We settle it this way: Yoshi-dono, please draft a reply to the gai-jin for approval at tomorrow's meeting.\"\n\n\"Certainly. But what I want to know is who is feeding our secrets to them. Who is the gai-jin spy? This is the first time they've mentioned the 'young' Shōgun and named him, and named the Emperor. Someone is betraying us.\"\n\n\"We will put all our spies onto it! Good. And we will meet tomorrow morning as usual, consider the draft of our reply and decide on your plan.\" Anjo's eyes slitted. \"And to make final preparations for Shōgun Nobusada's departure to Kyōto.\"\n\nThe blood went out of Yoshi's face. \"We have discussed this a dozen times. At our last meet—\"\n\n\"His visit will go forward! He will travel by the north road, not the Tokaidō, along the coast. Safer.\"\n\n\"As Guardian I oppose the visit for the reasons already stated over and over—by any road!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Toyama said, \"Better for my son to be in Kyōto. Soon we will be at war. Our warriors won't be checked much longer.\"\n\n\"No war and no visit. Either will destroy us,\" Yoshi said angrily. \"The moment a Shōgun kowtows, as Nobusada will, our position is ruined for all time. The Legacy states th—\"\n\nAnjo said, \"The Legacy will not dominate in this.\"\n\n\"The Toranaga Legacy is our only anchor and cannot b—\"\n\n\"I do not agree!\"\n\nChoking back his rage, Yoshi began to get up but stopped as Anjo said, \"There is a last matter to decide today: the immediate appointment of the new Elder, Utani's replacement.\"\n\nThere was a sudden tension amongst them. Since Utani's assassination and the manner of his death—the room in which he and the youth had been impaled had not been completely destroyed in the fire—together with the failure of legions of spies and soldiers to apprehend the assassins, all the Elders had slept less comfortably. Particularly Anjo, who was still smarting from his own near assassination." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except for Yoshi, who was occasionally supported by Utani, none of the others regretted his death, or the manner of it, least of all Anjo who had been shocked to discover the identity of the paramour and loathed Utani even more for secretly stealing his occasional pleasure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Let us vote now.\"\n\n\"Such an important matter should wait until tomorrow.\"\n\n\"So sorry, Yoshi-sama. Now is a perfect time.\"\n\nAdachi nodded. \"Unless the Council is at full strength we cannot make important decisions. Who do you propose?\"\n\n\"I formally propose Zukumura of Gai.\"\n\nIn spite of his control Yoshi gasped—the daimyo was simple-minded, a kinsman and open ally of Anjo. \"I have already stated my disapproval of him—there are a dozen better than him,\" he said at once. \"We agreed on Gen Taira.\"\n\n\"I did not agree.\" Anjo smiled with his mouth only." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I merely said I would consider him carefully. I have. Zukumura is a better choice. Now we will vote.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I do not think a vote now is wise or adv—\"\n\n\"Vote! As chief Councillor it is my right to put it to a vote! Vote!\"\n\n\"I vote No!\" Yoshi said, and glared at the other two.\n\nAdachi did not meet his eye, just said, \"Gai have been Mito's allies since Sekigahara. Yes.\"\n\nToyama shrugged. \"Whatever you want.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi slashed violently at his two opponents with the wooden sword, sweat pouring off his face, then darted back, spun and attacked again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both men, experts, sidestepped and pressed their own attack, on orders to be victors, with failure costing them a month confined to barracks and three months' pay." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cleverly, one man feinted to give the other an opening but Yoshi was ready and ducked under the blow and caught the man across the chest and his sword shattered with the strength of his blow—if the blade had been real it would have almost cut the man in two—eliminating him from the contest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once the other rushed in confidently for the kill but Yoshi was no longer where he had expected but almost floor level and hacking forward with a karate foot chop." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This man groaned in agony as the iron-hard edge of Yoshi's foot crashed into his scrotum and he fell, writhing. Still enwrapped in his rage and adrenaline, Yoshi leaped at the prone man, the splintered haft of his sword ready on high, a stake to drive into the man's throat for the death blow." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he stayed the blow a hair above the man's neck, heart pumping, ecstatic with his skill and control and that he had not failed this time, victory meaning nothing. His pent-up fury was no more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Content now, he tossed the broken haft aside and began to unwind, the exercise room bare and Spartan like the rest of the castle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All were panting from their exertions, the prone man still twisting and turning with pain. Then Yoshi was astonished to hear gentle clapping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angrily he turned—by his custom, no one was ever invited to witness these practice sessions where the extent of his prowess could be gauged, his weaknesses could be judged, and his brutality measured—but this anger vanished also." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hosaki! When did you arrive?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he said, trying to regain his breath. \"Why not send a messenger to tell me you were coming?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His smile vanished. \"Trouble?\"\n\n\"No, Sire,\" his wife said happily, kneeling beside the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No trouble, just an abundance of pleasure to see you.\" She bowed deeply, her riding skirt and jacket, serviceable heavy green silk, modest and travel marked, like the padded matching overmantle and wide hat tied under her chin and short sword in her obi." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please excuse me for slipping in like this, uninvited, and not changing first but, well, I could not wait to see you—and now I am even more pleased I did for now I know that you are a better swordsman than ever.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He pretended not to be delighted, then went closer and looked at her searchingly. \"Really no trouble?\"\n\n\"Yes, Sire.\" She beamed, her adoration open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "White teeth and ebony slanted eyes in a classic face that was neither attractive nor ordinary but not to be forgotten, her whole presence was one of great dignity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yoshi,\" his father had said nine years ago when he was seventeen, \"I have chosen your wife for you. Her bloodline is Toranaga, equal to yours though from the minor branch of Mitowara. Her name is Hosaki, meaning an 'ear of wheat' in the ancient tongue, a harbinger of abundance and fertility, and also a 'spearhead.' I do not think she will fail you in either capacity...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nor has she, Yoshi thought proudly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Already two fine sons and a daughter, and she's still strong, always wise, a firm manager of our finances—and, rare in a wife, pleasant enough to pillow occasionally though with none of the fire of my consort or pleasure partners, particularly Koiko." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He accepted a dry towel from the man who was unhurt, and waved his hand in dismissal. The man bowed silently and helped the other, still in agony, to limp out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He knelt near her, towelling the sweat away. \"So?\"\n\n\"It's not safe here, neh?\" she said softly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Nowhere is safe.\"\n\n\"First,\" she said in a normal voice, \"first, Yoshi-chan, we will look after your body: a bath, massage and then talk.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good. There is much to talk about here.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\" Smiling, she got up, and again at his searching look reassured him, \"Truly at Dragon's Tooth all is well, your sons healthy, your consort and her son happy, your captains and retainers alert and well armed—everything as you would want. I just decided to make a short visit, on a sudden whim,\" she said for the listening ears, \"I merely needed to see you, and to talk about castle management.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And also to bed you, my beauty, she was thinking in her secret heart, looking up at him, her nostrils filled with his masculine smell, conscious of his nearness and as always aching for his strength.\n\nWhile you are away, Yoshi-chan, I can keep calm, most of the time, but near you?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah, then that is very hard though I pretend, oh, how I pretend, and hide my jealousy of the others and behave like a perfect wife. But that does not mean that I, like all wives, do not feel jealousy violently, sometimes to a point of madness, wishing to kill or even better to mutilate the others, wanting to be desired and bedded with an equal passion.\n\n\"You've been away too long, husband,\" she said gently, wanting him to take her now, on the floor, to rut like she imagined young peasants would rut." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was near midday with a kind wind that broomed the sky." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were within his innermost sanctum, a suite of three tatami rooms and bathing room off a corner battlement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was pouring tea for him, elegantly as always." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since a child she had studied the tea ceremony, as he had, but now she was a Sensei, a teacher of tea in her own right." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both had bathed and had been massaged." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doors were barred, guards posted and maids dismissed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He wore a starched kimono, she a flowing sleeping kimono, her hair loosed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"After our talk I think I will rest. Then my head will be clear for this evening.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You rode all the way?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, Sire.\" The journey had been rough in fact, little sleep and changing horses every three ri, about nine miles." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How long did it take you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Two and a half days. I just brought twenty retainers under the command of Captain Ishimoto.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She laughed. \"I certainly needed the massage, and the bath. But first—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Almost ten ri a day? Why the forced march?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Mostly for my pleasure,\" she said lightly, knowing there was time enough for bad news." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But first, Yoshi-chan, tea for your pleasure.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you.\" He drank the fine green tea from the Ming gourd and set it down again, watching and waiting, swept up in her mastery and tranquility." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After she had poured again and sipped and set her own cup down she said softly, \"I decided to come here without delay because I had heard disquieting rumors and needed to reassure myself and your captains that you were well—rumors that you were in danger, that Anjo was padding the Council against you, that the shishi attempt on him and Utani's assassination were all part of a major escalation of sonno-joi, that war is coming, within and from without, and that Anjo is further betraying you, and all the Shōgunate. He must be insane to allow the Shōgun and his Imperial wife to go to Kyōto to kowtow.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"All true or partially true,\" he said, equally quietly, and her face tumbled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Bad news travels with the wings of a hawk, Hosaki, neh? It's worse because of the gai-jin.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then he told her about his meeting with the foreigners and Misamoto, the spy, then in more detail about the castle intrigues—but not about Koiko's suspected connection to the shishi: Hosaki would never understand how exciting she is and how much more exciting this knowledge makes her, he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My wife would only advise Koiko's immediate dismissal, investigation and punishment and give me no peace until it was done." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He finished by telling her about the alien fleet at their doors, Sir William's letter and threat, and today's meeting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Zukumura? An Elder? That senile fish head? Isn't one of his sons married to a niece of Anjo's? Surely old Toyama didn't vote for him?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He just shrugged and said, 'Him or another, it means nothing, we will be warring soon. Have who you want.'\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then at best it will be three to two against you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. Now there is no curb on Anjo. He can do what he wants, vote himself increased powers, make himself tairō, whatever stupidity he wants, such as Nobusada's stupid trek to Kyōto.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi felt another tightness in his chest but put it away, glad to be able to talk openly—as much as he could ever be open, trusting her more than he could trust anyone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The barbarians were as you imagined them, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she asked. Everything about them fascinated her: \"know your enemy as you know yourself...\" Sun-tzu had been the prime learning book for her and her four sisters and three brothers, along with martial arts, calligraphy and the tea ceremony." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She and her sisters also had concentrated teaching by their mother and aunts on land and financial management, together with practical methods of dealing with men of all classes, and the all-important future." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had never excelled at martial arts though she could use a knife and war fan well enough." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'called' 2 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everything Yoshi could remember, he told her, and also what Misamoto had said about gai-jin in the part of the Americas called California—and sometimes called the Land of the Golden Mountain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes narrowed but he did not notice." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he had finished she still had a thousand questions but contained them for later, not wanting to tire him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You help me to picture everything, Yoshi-chan, you are a wonderful observer. What have you decided?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Nothing yet—I wish my father was alive, I miss his counsel—and Mother's.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes,\" she said, glad that both were dead, the father two years ago, mostly of old age aggravated by his close confinement by Ii—he was fifty-five—the mother in last year's smallpox epidemic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both had made her life miserable, at the same time keeping Yoshi in thrall, in her opinion the father not doing his duty to the family, making bad decisions more times than not, and the mother forever being the most ill-tempered, difficult to please mother-in-law in her ken, worse to her than the wives of his three brothers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only clever thing they did in their whole lives, she thought, was to agree to my father's proposal of marriage to Toranaga Yoshi." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For that I thank them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now I rule Dragon's Tooth, and our lands, and they will be passed on to my sons strong, inviolate and worthy of the Lord Shōgun Toranaga." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes,\" she said. \"So sorry they are gone. I bow to their shrine every day and beg to be worthy of their trust.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He sighed. Since his mother's death he had felt in a void, more so than with his father, whom he admired but feared." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whenever he had a problem, or was afraid, he always knew he could go to her and be soothed, guided and given new strength." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He said sadly, \"Karma that Mother died so young.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, Sire,\" she said, understanding his sadness, and perfectly content for, of course, it would be the same with all sons whose first duty is to obey and to cherish their mother above everyone—all their lives." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can never fill that void any more than the wives of my sons will fill mine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's your advice, Hosaki?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I've too many thoughts for these too many problems,\" she told him worriedly, her mind grappling with the mosaic of danger from every quarter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I feel useless. Let me think carefully, tonight and tomorrow—perhaps I can suggest something that will give you a clue to what you must do, then, with your permission I'll return home the next day, one thing for certain: to further strengthen our defenses. You must tell me what to do. Meanwhile a few immediate observations for you to consider: increase the vigilance of your guards, and quietly mobilize all your forces.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I had already decided that.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This gai-jin who accosted you after the meeting, a Frenchman you say, I suggest you take advantage of the offer to see the inside of a warship with your own eyes, very important for you to see for yourself—perhaps even pretend to become friendly with them, then perhaps you could play them against the English, neh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I had already decided to do that.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smiled to herself, and lowered her voice even more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"However difficult, the sooner the better, Anjo must be removed permanently. As it is now probable you cannot prevent the Shōgun and the Princess from leaving for Kyōto—I agree she is, correctly from her point of view, the Court spy and puppet and your enemy—then you must leave secretly just after them and rush to Kyōto by the shorter Tokaidō and be there before them... You smile, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Only because you please me. And when I get to Kyōto?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You must become the Emperor's confidant—we have friends in Court who will assist you. Then, one possibility of dozens: make a secret agreement with Ogama of Choshu to leave him in control of the Gates\"—she hesitated as Yoshi flushed—\"but only as long as he is openly allied with you against Satsuma and Tosa.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ogama would never believe I would keep that bargain nor would I, but we must get back our Gates whatever the cost.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I agree. But say the final part of your pact is that if he agrees to join forces for a surprise attack on Lord Sanjiro of Satsuma at a time of your choosing, then when Sanjiro is overcome, Ogama gives you back the Gates and he gets Satsuma in return.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi frowned even more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Very difficult to conquer Sanjiro by land when he is skulking behind his mountains—even Shōgun Toranaga did not attack Satsuma after Sekigahara, just accepted their public bows, oaths of fidelity, and curbed them with kindness. We cannot launch a seaborne attack.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He thought a moment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That is a dream, not a real possibility. Too difficult,\" he muttered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But then, who knows? Next.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She dropped her voice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Remove Nobusada on his way to Kyōto—it is a chance in a lifetime.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Never!\" he said, openly shocked and inwardly aghast that she thought as he did or, even worse, had read his most secret heart." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That would betray the Legacy, my heritage, everything that Lord Shōgun Toranaga strived for. I have accepted him as liege lord, as I am bound to do.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course you are right,\" she said at once soothingly, already bowing low, prepared and expecting that reaction but needing to articulate it for him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That was baka of me. I completely agree. So sorr—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good! Never think or say that again.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of course. Please forgive me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She kept her head bowed for the correct time, muttering apologies, then leaned forward and refilled his cup and sat back again, eyes downcast, waiting to be asked to continue." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nobusada should have been removed by your father, Yoshi, she was thinking calmly—I am astonished that you never realized it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your father, and mother—who should have given him correct counsel—failed in their duty when that stupid boy was proposed against you as Shōgun by the traitor Ii." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ii shoved us all into house arrest, destroyed our peace for years, almost caused the death of our eldest son because of the months we were so closely confined that we all starved." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We all knew Ii would do it long before it happened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Removing Nobusada has always been so obvious, however heretical and distasteful an action, but the only real way to protect our future." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you will not consider it, Yoshi, I will find a way..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That was a bad thought, Hosaki. Terrible!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I agree, Sire. Please accept my humble apologies.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again her head touched the tatami." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It was stupid. I do not know where such stupidity comes from. You are right of course. Perhaps it was because I am overwrought with the dangers surrounding you. Please, Sire, will you allow me to leave?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In a moment, yes, meanwhile—\" A little mollified he motioned for her to pour more tea, still off balance that she would dare to speak such sacrilege openly, even to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"May I mention one other thought, Sire, before I go?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, provided it's not stupid like the last one.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She almost laughed out loud at the petulant, little-boy barb that did not enter even her outermost defenses." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You said, Sire, so wisely, that the most important and immediate gai-jin riddle to solve is how to sink their fleets or to keep their cannon away from our shores, neh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Could cannon be mounted on barges?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eh?\" He frowned, deflected from Nobusada by this new tack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'd imagine so, why?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We could find out from the Dutch, they would help us. Perhaps we could build a defensive fleet, no matter how cumbersome, and anchor the barges offshore, as far out to sea as we can in strategic approaches to our important areas, like the Shimonoseki Straits, along with fortifying the mouths to all our harbors—fortunately they are very few, neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It might be possible,\" he conceded, the idea not having occurred to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But I don't have enough money or gold to buy all the cannon necessary for our shore batteries, let alone to build such a fleet. Or enough time or knowledge or wealth to set up our own armories and factories to make our own—or the men to run them.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, so true, Sire. You are so wise,\" she agreed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then sadly, she took a deep breath." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"All daimyos are impoverished and in debt—us as much as any.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Eh? The harvest?\" he asked sharply." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry to bring bad news, less than last year.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How much less?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"About a third.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That is dreadful news, and just when I need extra revenue!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His fist bunched. \"Farmers are all baka.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, it is not their fault, Yoshi-chan, the rains were too late or too early, the sun too. This year the gods have not smiled on us.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There are no gods, Hosaki-chan, but there is karma. Karma that there is a bad harvest—you will have to put up taxes nonetheless.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes glistened with tears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There will be famine in the Kwanto before next harvest—and if with us, the richest rice land in all Nippon, what about the others?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The memory of the famine four years ago rushed back at them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thousands had died, and tens of thousands in the inevitable plagues that followed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And in the Great Famine, twenty years ago, hundreds of thousands had perished." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This is indeed the Land of Tears.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He nodded absently. Then he said, his voice acid, \"You will increase taxes by a tenth part, all samurai will get a tenth part less. Talk to the moneylenders. They can increase our loans. The money will be spent on armaments.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course.\" Then added carefully, \"We are better off than most, only next year's harvest is pledged. But it will be difficult to get ordinary interest rates.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He said irritably, \"What do I know or care of interest rates? Make the best arrangement you can.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His face tightened. \"Perhaps the time has come to propose to the Council we adjust 'interest rates' like my greatgrandfather.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sixty-odd years ago the Shōgun, crushed under the weight of his father's debts, with years of future harvests mortgaged like those of all daimyos, and goaded by the ever-increasing arrogance and disdain of the merchant class, had abruptly decreed that all debts were cancelled and all future harvests debt free." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the two and a half centuries since Sekigahara this extreme act had been promulgated four times." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It caused chaos throughout the land." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suffering amongst all classes was huge, especially samurai." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was little the rice merchants, the main moneylenders, could do." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many went bankrupt. A few committed seppuku." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The rest slid under cover as best they could and suffered in the general lake of pain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Until the next harvest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then farmers needed merchants, and all people needed rice, and so, carefully, sales were consummated and scarce—therefore highly expensive—money was loaned to them for seed and tools against the next harvest, and once more, but very humbly, money and credit was advanced to samurai, against their expected income, for living and entertainment, and silks and swords." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon samurai overspending became endemic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With greater care moneylenders slipped back into business." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Soon inducements had to be offered to them, samurai status was reluctantly proffered and gratefully purchased for some sons and everything was soon as before, with fiefs in pawn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps you should, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was as disgusted as he with moneylenders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I have secret stocks of rice against famine, your men would be hungry but they will not starve.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good. Barter these for the guns.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So sorry, the amount would not be significant,\" she told him gently, appalled with his naiveté and added quickly to divert him, \"Meanwhile taxes will not produce the cash gai-jin will require.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Then it will have to be the moneylenders,\" he said sharply." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Do whatever is necessary. I must have guns.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\" She allowed the silence to gather, then slowly put forward a long-pondered plan: \"Something you said before you left home gave me an idea, Sire. The small gold mine in our north mountains. I propose we increase the work force.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But you have told me many times the mine is already scavenged to capacity and produces less revenue every year.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'there' 3 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"True, but you made me realize our miners are not experts and my thought is that where there is one vein, there may be others if we had expert prospectors to seek them out. Perhaps our methods are old-fashioned. Amongst the gai-jin there may be experts.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked at her. \"How so?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I was talking to Old Smelly\"—this was the nickname of an old Dutchman who years ago had been a merchant at Deshima and had been enticed to become one of Yoshi's tutors and who, with the gift of maids, a youthful consort and much saké had been induced to stay until it was too late to leave." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He told me about a huge gold rush in the Land of the Golden Mountain you mentioned, only thirteen years ago, where gai-jin of all nations went to steal a fortune from the earth. Also, a few years ago there was another such gold rush in a land far to our south—he called it Van Diemen's Land. In Yokohama there must be men who took part in one or the other. Experts.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And if they exist?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi wondered about Misamoto." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I suggest you offer them safe passage and half the gold they discover within one year. There are many Americans and adventurers in the Settlement, so I am told.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 2 instance(s) of the word 'lands'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You would want gai-jin wandering about our lands, spying on our lands?\" he asked slowly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She shook her head then leaned forward, knowing she had his complete attention." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Once again you provided the solution, Yoshi-chan. Say you approached the most important Yokohama trader, in secret, the one you told me you thought was going to supply Choshu with rifles—I agree we must get rifles and modern cannon at all costs and prevent enemies from acquiring them. Say you offer him your gold concession, an exclusive. In return he arranges all aspects of the search and mining. You would accept only one or two unarmed prospectors, and of course they would be closely monitored. In return you are supplied immediately with so many cannon and rifles in advance, against your half of the gold found, and this merchant agrees to sell guns and cannon only to you. Never to Choshu, Tosa or Satsumas. You smile, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And our go-between is Misamoto?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Without your cleverness in discovering and training him this would not be possible.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She said it with perfect deference, and sat back, secretly content, listening to his comments and her replies, knowing that he would put her plan into operation quickly, that they would somehow get some guns and never never never barter her secret rice away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, shortly, she could pretend to be tired and beg his permission to rest: \"You should rest also, Sire, after such a marvelous though strenuous practice session...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course he should, a fine man like him, she thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And once there, many judicious compliments, asking permission to massage his tired shoulder muscles, cautiously becoming more intimate, a sigh or two and quickly he would be as close as she could ever desire." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As close as Koiko." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Earlier Koiko had correctly begged permission to visit her and had bowed and thanked her and said that she hoped her services had pleased the Great Lord, that she was honored to be allowed into his household for even a brief time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They had chatted for a while and then she had gone away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Such a beauty, Hosaki thought without jealousy, or envy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi is entitled to a toy, however expensive, from time to time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their beauty is so fragile, so transient, their life so sad, truly cherry blossoms from the Tree of Life." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A man's world is so much more physically exciting than ours." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eeee, to be able to go from flower to flower without hurt or thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If the punishment for even a little philandering on our side was not so immediate and severe, women would consider it much more frequently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wouldn't we? Why not?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If it were safe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes, when Yoshi is away, the thought of such enormous danger and immediate death is an almost overwhelming aphrodisiac." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Foolish, for such a fleeting pleasure. Is it?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She waited, watching him, a warm glow within, adoring the game of life while his mind was abuzz with variations of the plan and how to use his creation, Misamoto." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will start at once, he was thinking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hosaki has a good mind and is clever at putting my ideas together." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, eeee, to articulate that about the boy was baka in the extreme, however correct an Act of State such an action might be. Women have no finesse." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the Settlement this morning, just before dawn, Jamie McFay had given Nemi a final kiss and then together they walked down the corridor to Malcolm Struan's suite." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He knocked gently. At once the door opened and the young girl, Shizuka, came out, eased the door closed, smiled curiously and began whispering to Nemi who took McFay by the arm and hurried him to the landing.\n\n\"What? Bad news, heya?\" McFay asked nervously—he had caught a glimpse of Struan fast sleep in the huge four-poster before the door closed but all had seemed well. Nemi paid no attention to him and continued to cross-question the girl." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Exasperated, McFay said, \"Nemi, what? What bad?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hesitated, then with an initial flood of singsong apologetic Japanese, caught herself and beamed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No bad, Jami-san, you-ah cum Yoshiwara t'morrow, yes no?\" She put on her cloak and began to go down the stairs but he stopped her.\n\n\"What bad, Nemi?\" he asked suspiciously.\n\nShe stared up at him a moment, then more Japanese and pidgin that did not make sense." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finally she shrugged. \"S'kr't, wakarimasu ka?\"\n\n\"S'kr't? Iyé, for God's sake. What skre't, heya?\"\n\n\"S'krit, Jami-san, hai?\"\n\n\"Ah, secret, for God's sake! Wakarimasu! Secret what?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate this exact phrase, preserving the quotation marks: \"Hai. Us keep secret. Now what?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sighed with relief and beamed. \"S'kret, gud! S'kret, Jami-san, Shizuka, Nemi. Hai? Hai?\"\n\n\"Hai. Us keep secret. Now what?\"\n\nMore incomprehensible Japanese and more pidgin as they put on their outer robes and then, frustrated because she could not explain properly or that she had to explain at all, Nemi parodied plenty of movement and whispered, \"Shizuka gud, work gud o'rr night.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tai-pan good?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes soared. \"Hai, Jami-san, Shizuka gud!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All his questions had only produced more bowing and smiles from both of them, so he had thanked Shizuka, her fee already arranged—\"tai-pan credit plenti werri gud,\" the mama-san had told him. For a last time Nemi swore him to secrecy. The waiting servant took them back to the Yoshiwara.\n\nPerturbed but not knowing why, though sure he had not been told all the truth, he had tiptoed back and stood over the bed but Struan was fast asleep, breathing peacefully, so he had left and gone to his office and worked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Until just after ten.\n\n\"Hello, Doctor, come in, good to see you. What's new?\"\n\nHoag's face was grim. \"Ah Tok sent for me and I've just seen Malcolm, that's what's new. I wish to Christ you'd asked me first before you—oh, for God's sake, Jamie,\" the squat, good man added quickly, seeing him flush, \"I know he asked you to arrange it, I just wish you'd thought to ask me first—I would have thought it bloody obvious it would be bloody dangerous and bloody ridiculous to try so soon after that wound with half your inside patched and near to bursting...\" He stopped and sat down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sorry, but I had to let that out.\"\n\n\"That's all right—is it bad?\"\n\n\"I don't know, some blood in his urine and plenty of pain in his loins. It seems she was very vigorous, he got carried away and when he climaxed he said his stomach spasmed with the surge and then cramped up. Poor fellow, though he's in a lot of pain now, he did tell me she was worth it.\"\n\n\"He said that?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, in some detail—don't mention that I told you, eh? I've given him some painkiller so he'll sleep for an hour or two. I'll be back later.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoag sighed and got up with a grim smile. \"I had another note from Mrs. Struan, did you?\"\n\n\"Yes, more of the same. Will you order him back to Hong Kong now?\"\n\n\"I can't order him to do anything. He goes when he wants to go, this is the storm season, for God's sake. He's wise to stay—unless there's anything pressing in Hong Kong.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There are dozens of reasons—that's the seat of power, there's nothing for him to do here really.\"\n\nHoag shrugged. \"I agree Hong Kong would be better—I'd planned to go back with the mail ship but after last night I think I'll wait for a few more days for him.\"\n\n\"Take him with you, please, on the mail ship.\"\n\n\"I already suggested it and was told, rather impolitely, 'no.' Forget it, Jamie, it's not wrong for him to rest here and a foul sea voyage would be extremely bad for him, maybe a killer. By the way, I hear there may be another ball next Tuesday with Angel T the guest of honor.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Malcolm didn't mention it.\"\n\n\"Under the auspices of Ambassador Seratard, of dubious ancestry, father of all the French. Well, I must be going—keep me advised and if Malcolm asks for a similar bout, check with me first, privately.\"\n\n\"All right. Thanks, Doctor.\"\n\nLater Vargas knocked. \"Senhor, Ah Tok says the tai-pan wants to see you.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "CONSTRAINT: Include 'senhor' 2 time(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Climbing the staircase, there was a sudden nasty twinge in Jamie's stomach, imagining himself in Malcolm's place.\n\n\"Senhor McFay!\" Vargas called up from the stairwell. \"Excuse me, but the Choshu samurai have just arrived, about ordering the rifles, senhor.\"\n\n\"I'll be right back.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "McFay knocked and opened the door. \"Hello, Tai-pan,\" he said kindly. Struan was propped in bed, his eyes strange, a flat smile on his face. \"How're you today?\"\n\n\"You saw Hoag?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good, then you know she was very satisfactory and, well, thanks, Jamie. She helped tremendously though...\" Struan laughed nervously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Though the finish shook me up a bit. Terrific body. It was all very satisfactory but I don't think I'll need a repeat performance until I'm really better. She certainly got rid of the—the logjam.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again the short, nervous laugh." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Didn't realize, Jamie, how strong a little girl like that could be, or how much... you understand, eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of course. Everything went according to plan?\"\n\nFor an instant Struan wavered, then he said firmly, \"Yes, better than that—I want you to double her fee.\"\n\n\"Certainly.\" McFay read the underlying anxiety and his heart went out to him. Obviously whatever happened Malcolm's deal with Shizuka was secret." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If that's the way he wants it, fine. Not up to me. What's done is done. Just another secret to add to all the rest." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Glad it was all right.\"\n\n\"Better than all right. Did the girl say anything?\"\n\n\"Only that she, er, worked hard all night, to, well, to try to please you.\"\n\nA bright knock on the door and Angelique sailed in, blooming with good health, chic in a new lavender dress, parasol, feathered hat, gloves and shawl." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hello, my love, hello, Jamie, how are you today? Oh, Malcolm, I'm so pleased to see you.\" As she bent over the bed to kiss Struan tenderly, \"Oh, chéri, how I've missed you.\"\n\nThe moment the door had opened the hearts of both men stretched. McFay's nervousness soared, at once his eyes checked the bed and room to see if there were any telltale signs." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But all was neat and tidy, clean new sheets and pillowcases daily—more Struan fastidiousness about cleanliness, to the point of foolishness, he thought—clean shirt every day? Ridiculous, once or twice a month more than enough but then he knew the habit had been implanted by Dirk Struan and whatever the tai-pan had decreed was law for Tess Struan and therefore her family. Struan was freshly shaved, clean nightshirt, the windows opened to the sea breeze that would carry away any trace of perfume. He began to breathe easier, then she said, \"I saw Dr. Hoag,\" and both men almost went into spasm again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You poor darling,\" she said with hardly a pause, \"he told me you'd had a bad night, poor darling, and that you won't come to Sir William's soiree this evening, so I thought I'd just drop in and sit with you until lunch.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, the gorgeous smile that seduced both of them and she arranged herself in the tall chair—Struan weak with love for her, at the same time sick with guilt." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I must have been insane to want a whore to substitute for the love of my life, he thought, glorying in her open warmth, wanting to blurt out about Shizuka, and beg her forgiveness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The night had begun well enough with Shizuka undressing and smiling and pressing against him, fondling and encouraging. He had touched her too, fondling and was both proud and anxious. Awkward and painful to position normally and move normally, so staying seated and beginning but not quite, then of a sudden Angelique's face and presence had swamped him, unbidden and unwanted. His manhood vanished. And as much as Shizuka had tried and he had tried, it would not return." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They rested and tried again, the ache for him awful now, overlaid with frantic, impotent rage and his need to prove himself. More groping and trying—she was well trained with hands and lips and body but nothing would create that which responded in varying degrees to lust and need, but especially to love and its indefinable mystery. Nor, whatever she did, could she or he dispel the spectre. Or conquer the pain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length she gave up, her young body sheened with perspiration and panting from her exertions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Gomen nasai, Tai-pan,\" she had whispered, again and again, apologizing, but hiding her fury and almost in tears at his impotence, for she had never failed before, and was expecting him to send for servants any moment to beat her and throw her out for failure to arouse him as a civilized person would do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And more than anything, she was beset with anxiety as to how she would explain her inadequacy to her mama-san." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Buddha bear witness: this man failed, not me!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Gomen nasai, gomen nasai,\" her mouth kept saying." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's the accident,\" he mumbled, despising himself, the pain grotesque, telling her about the Tokaidō and his wounds even though he knew she would not understand the words, his frustration shattering him. When that storm had passed and his tears had passed, he made her lie beside him, had stopped her trying again and had made her understand that she would get a double fee if she kept everything secret. \"Secret, wakarimasu ka?\" he pleaded with her.\n\n\"Hai, Tai-pan, wakarimasu,\" she had agreed happily, found the medicine he required and then cradled him to sleep." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Malcolm...\" Angelique said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes?\" Struan said at once, concentrating, his heart pounding, reminding him he had used the last of Hoag's sleeping draft and that he must ask Ah Tok to replace the mixture—for just a day or so." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm so pleased to see you too.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Me too. How do you like my dress?\"\n\n\"It's wonderful and so are you,\" he said.\n\n\"Think I'll be going, Tai-pan,\" McFay broke in, seeing how happy Struan had become, pleased for him though still sweating. \"The Choshu reps are downstairs—all right to proceed with them?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As we decided. Good, thanks again, Jamie. Let me know how it goes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Malcolm,\" Angelique said quickly, \"while Jamie's here... you remember you asked me to remind you when we were all together about my... the small allowance.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'night' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah yes, of course. Jamie,\" he said expansively as she took his hand, her open pleasure casting the night into oblivion—forever, he thought happily. That night never happened! \"Put my fiancée's chits against my account,\" he told him with a twinge of happiness at the word. \"Angel, just sign chits, whatever you want, Jamie will take care of them.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you, chéri, that's wonderful, but please can I have some money?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He laughed and Jamie smiled also." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You don't need any here, there's no need for cash—none of us carry money.\"\n\n\"But Malcolm, I w—\"\n\n\"Angelique,\" he said, his voice firmer. \"Chits are the way we pay for everything, at the Club or at any store in the Settlement, everyone does, even in Hong Kong, surely you haven't forgotten. It stops tradesmen cheating and you've a permanent record.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But I've always had money, chéri, money of my own, to pay my own bills,\" she said with an outward show of complete honesty, \"and as my father has... well, you understand.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Paying your own bills? What an appalling idea. That's unheard of in good society. Now don't worry yourself,\" he said, smiling at her, \"that's for men to do. Chits are our perfect solution.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Perhaps French people are different, we always have cash and—\"\n\n\"So do we in England and elsewhere, but in Asia we all sign chits. Whatever you want to buy just sign for it—even better we must get you your personal chop, we'll choose the perfect Chinese name for you.\" This was a small stamp, usually a rectangular piece of ivory or bone, the bottom of which was ornately carved with the Chinese characters that sounded like the owner's name. When pressed into an ink pad then onto paper, it would produce a unique imprint almost impossible to forge." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Jamie will arrange it for you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you, Malcolm. But then, well, can I have my own account, chéri, I'm really very good at managing.\"\n\n\"I'm sure you are, now don't worry your beautiful head, when we're married I'll arrange it, but here it's unnecessary.\"\n\nShe hardly listened to herself as she entertained Struan with gossip from the French Legation, what she had read in the papers, what her friend in Paris had written about a superb residence—called \"hotel\" there—on the Champs-Elysées belonging to a Countess that would soon become available and was so inexpensive, planting seeds for their glorious future, making him laugh, waiting for him to become drowsy when she would leave for her lunch at the Club with the French officers, then later to ride with them and some of the English navy officers on the racecourse, then a siesta, then to prepare for Sir William's soiree—no reason not to go but first returning to say good night to her soon-to-be husband.\n\nEverything marvelous and terrible, most of her mind on her new dilemma: how to get cash." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What am I going to do?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have to have cash to pay for the medicine, that swine André Poncin won't advance it for me, I know he won't." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Damn him and damn my father for stealing my money! And damn him of the Tokaidō into eternal Hell forever!\n\nStop that and think. Remember you are on your own and you must solve your problems!" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'can't' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My only possession of value is my engagement ring and I can't sell that, I just can't. Oh God, everything was going so well, I'm officially engaged, Malcolm is getting better, André is helping me but the medicine's so expensive and I've no money, real money, oh God, oh God what am I going to do?\n\nTears spilled out of her eyes.\n\n\"Good God, Angelique, what is it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just that... just that I'm so unhappy.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sobbed and buried her head in the bedclothes. \"So unhappy that—that the Tokaidō happened and you're hurt and I... I'm hurt too—it's not fair.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'cabin' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William's ten-oared cutter sped through the swell in double-quick time aimed at the flagship anchored in the roads off Yokohama, her bow wave heavy. He was alone in the cabin and he stood, riding easily, in frock coat, cutaway and top hat. Sea fair, light fading in the west, the clouds already grey but with no apparent threat of storm. As she swung alongside the ship, all oars went to the vertical, he jumped onto the gangway and hurried up to the main deck to be piped aboard.\n\n\"Afternoon, sir.\" Lieutenant Marlowe saluted smartly. \"This way, please.\" Past gleaming rows of cannon to the quarterdeck—the main deck and shrouds a hive of activity, cannons being secured, hawsers coiled, sails checked, smoke from the funnel—up a gangway then down another to the second gun deck, past sailors battening down and stowing gear, to the Admiral's cabin aft. The marine sentry saluted as Marlowe knocked. \"Sir William, sir.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Well, open the door, Marlowe, for Christ's sake.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Marlowe held the door for Sir William and began to close it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Marlowe, stay here!\" the Admiral ordered.\n\nThe large cabin filled the stern of the ship—many small sea windows, big table and sea chairs anchored to the deck, small bunk and toilet, large sideboard with cut-glass decanters. The Admiral and General half got up with token politeness, and sat again. Marlowe stayed at the door.\n\n\"Thank you for arriving so expeditiously, Sir William. Brandy? Sherry?\"\n\n\"Brandy, thank you, Admiral Ketterer. Trouble?\"\n\nThe florid-faced man glared at Marlowe." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Would you oblige, Mr. Marlowe, brandy for Sir William.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He tossed a sheet of paper on the table. \"Dispatch from Hong Kong.\"\n\nWith the usual flowery greetings, the dispatch read:\n\nYou will proceed at once with the flagship and four or five warships to the port of Boh Chih Seh, north of Shanghai (coordinates overleaf) where the main pirate fleet of Wu Sung Choi is now harboring. A week ago a swarm of this pirate's junks, arrogantly flying his flag—the White Lotus—intercepted and sank HM. 's mail ship Bonny Sailor in the waters off Mirs Bay, the pirate haven north of Hong Kong. The fleet here will deal with Mirs Bay—you will decimate Boh Chih Seh and sink all craft not fishing vessels if the leader, believed to be Chu Fang Choy, refuses to strike his colors and declines to surrender to Her Majesty's justice." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When accomplished, send one ship with a report here and return to Yokohama, placing yourself as usual at the disposition of Her Majesty's servants." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Show this to Sir William and please give him the enclosed. yrs., Stanshope, KCB, Governor Far East.\n\nPS: The Bonny Sailor was lost with all hands, 76 officers and men, ten passengers, one of whom was an Englishwoman, the wife of a trader here, a cargo of gold, opium and rice worth ten thousand guineas. Chu Fang Choy had the effrontery to have delivered to Government House a sack containing the ship's log and forty-three pairs of ears with a letter apologizing that the others could not be recovered. The woman's were not included and we fear the worst for her.\n\n\"Bastards,\" Sir William muttered, with an added queasiness at the thought that, as pirates were endemic in all Asian waters, particularly from Singapore north to Peking, and the White Lotus fleets the most abundant and notorious of all, the woman could easily have been his wife who was due to arrive in Hong Kong any week from England with three of his children. \"You leave on the tide?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes.\" The Admiral slid an envelope across the table." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William broke the seals:\n\nDear Willie, The next mail ship will bring the specie for the Legation expenses. Between ourselves, sorry, Willie, but I cannot give you any further troops at the moment, or ships. In the spring possibly. I have been ordered to return troops and ships to India where the authorities fear repetition of the Mutiny of five years ago. Added to that, the Punjab is in ferment again, pirates plague the Persian Gulf, and damned nomads in Mesopotamia have again cut the telegraph—another expeditionary force is being organized to deal with them once and for all!\n\nHow is that poor fellow Struan?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Questions are bound to be asked in Parliament about \"failure to protect our nationals.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "News of your Tokaidō disaster should reach London within two weeks, their answer not for two more months. I trust they will countenance stiff reprisals, and send us the money, troops and ships to carry out their orders. In the meantime weather the storm, if there is one, as best you can. Hong Kong is seething about this attack. Struan's mother is hopping mad and all the riffraff China traders here (however rich from their foul opium trade) are up in arms, their misguided, slanted guttersnipe Press demanding your resignation. Was it ever different? as Disraeli would say!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In haste, Godspeed, yrs. Stanshope, KCB, Governor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William took a large sip, hoping his face did not betray his anxiety. \"Good brandy, Admiral.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, it is, my very best private stock, in your honor,\" the Admiral said, furious that Marlowe had given Sir William almost half a tumbler and had not used the ordinary, second grade he kept for visitors. Stupid berk, he thought, he should know better—he'll never make flag rank.\n\n\"What about going to Osaka?\" Sir William asked.\n\n\"Oh, Osaka? I regret you will have to delay until I return.\" The smile was barely concealed.\n\n\"When will that be?\" The sinking feeling became worse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"To arrive at our destination, six or seven days depending on the winds, two or three days at Boh Chih Seh should be enough. I will have to recoal at Shanghai. Oh, I'd say I should be off Yokohama again unless fresh orders arrive in...\" The Admiral quaffed his port and poured another." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I should be back in four or five weeks.\"\n\nSir William finished his brandy and this helped to ease his nausea. \"Lieutenant, would you be so kind? Thanks.\"\n\nMarlowe took his glass politely and refilled it with the Admiral's best, hiding his disgust at being a flunky and totally fed up with this aide-decamp posting—wanting to be back on his own ship, his own quarterdeck to supervise the repairs the storm had caused. But at least I'll see some action at long last, he thought with relish, imagining the attack on the pirate haven, all guns blazing.\n\n\"Well, Admiral,\" Sir William was saying, \"if we fail to make good our threat we will lose enormous face, the initiative, and put ourselves in great danger.\"\n\n\"It was your threat, Sir William, not ours. As to face, you put too much value on it, as to danger—I presume you mean to the Settlement—damn, Sir, the natives of Japan would not dare to create any major problem. They didn't really bother you at the Legation, they won't really bother Yokohama.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"With the fleet gone, we're helpless.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not exactly, Sir William,\" the General said stiffly." }, { "from": "system", "value": "At some point in your response, insert this verbatim: \"Good officer but not dry behind the ears yet—fine naval family, two brothers also officers and his father's flag captain at Plymouth.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The army is here in some strength.\"\n\n\"Quite right,\" the Admiral agreed, \"but Sir William is perfectly correct to say the Royal Navy keeps the peace. I plan to take four warships, sir, not five, and leave one frigate on station. That should be sufficient. The Pearl.\"\n\nBefore Marlowe could stop himself, he had said, \"Excuse me, sir, she's still undergoing major repairs.\"\n\n\"I'm so glad to know you keep abreast of the state of my fleet, Mr. Marlowe, and that you keep your ears open,\" the Admiral said witheringly. \"Obviously Pearl can't go on this expedition, so you'd best report back aboard and make sure she's in first-class seagoing condition ready for any duty by sundown tomorrow or you won't have a ship.\"\n\n\"Yessir.\" Marlowe gulped, saluted and rushed off.\n\nThe Admiral grunted and said to the General, \"Good officer but not dry behind the ears yet—fine naval family, two brothers also officers and his father's flag captain at Plymouth.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 8 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked at Sir William. \"Don't worry, his frigate will have stepped her mast by tomorrow and be in good order-he's the best of my captains but, for God's sake, don't tell him I said so. He'll guard you until I return. If there's nothing else, gentlemen, I put to sea right smartly—so sorry I can't join you for dinner.\"\n\nSir William and the General finished their drinks and stood up. \"Godspeed, Admiral Ketterer, may you come back safely with all hands,\" Sir William said sincerely, the General echoing him. Then his face hardened. \"If I don't get any satisfaction from the Bakufu I will leave for Osaka as planned, in Pearl or not, at the head of the army or not—but by God, go to Osaka and Kyōto I will.\"\n\n\"Best wait until I return, best be prudent, best not swear by God to undertake such an ill-advised action, Sir William,\" the Admiral said curtly. \"God might decide otherwise.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "That evening, just before midnight, Angelique, Phillip Tyrer and Pallidar left the British Legation and strolled down High Street, heading for the Struan Building." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"La,\" she said happily, \"Sir William certainly has a modest chef!\"\n\nThey were all in evening dress and they laughed, for the food had been abundant English fare and especially delicious—a side of roast beef, trays of pork sausages and fresh crabs brought in on ice from Shanghai in the mail ship's ice room as part of the diplomatic pouch and therefore not subject to customs inspection or duty." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These were served with boiled vegetables, roast potatoes, also imported from Shanghai, with Yorkshire pudding and followed by apple pies and mince pies with all the claret, Pouilly Fumé, port and champagne the twenty guests could drink.\n\n\"And when Madam Lunkchurch threw a crab at her husband I thought I would die,\" she said to more laughter but Tyrer, embarrassed, said, \"I'm afraid some of the so-called traders and their wives are inclined to be boisterous. Please don't judge all Englishmen, or -women, by their behavior.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'evening' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Quite right.\" Pallidar was beaming, delighted that he also had been accepted as part of her escort and conscious that his evening dress uniform and plumed cap made Tyrer's drab frock coat, his old-fashioned and abundant silk cravat and top hat seem even more funereal. \"Dreadful people. Without your presence, the evening would have been awful, no doubt at all.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "High Street and its side streets were still busy with traders, clerks and others weaving their way home to their dwellings or strolling the promenade, the odd drunk lying by the oil lamps that lit the length of it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An occasional cluster of Japanese fishermen, carrying oars and nets, and paper lanterns to light their way, trudged up from the shore where their boats were beached, or headed down from the village for their night's fishing.\n\nAt the front door of the Struan Building she stopped and held out her hand to be kissed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you and good night, dear friends, please don't bother to wait, one of the servants can see me back to the Legation.\"\n\n\"Wouldn't dream of it,\" Pallidar said at once, taking her hand and holding on for a moment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I—we'd be glad to wait,\" Tyrer assured her.\n\n\"But I may be an hour or a few minutes, depending how my fiancé is.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But they insisted and she thanked them, and she swept past the liveried, armed night watchman, up the stairs, crinoline billowing, trailing her shawl—still caught up in the excitement of the evening and the adoration that surrounded her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hello, darling, just wanted to say good night.\"\n\nStruan wore an elegant red silk dressing gown over a loose shirt and trousers with soft boots, cravat at his throat and he got up out of the chair, the pain deadened now by the elixir Ah Tok had given him half an hour ago." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I feel better than I have for days, my darling. A bit wobbly, but fine-how lovely you are.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The light from the oil lamp made his gaunt face more handsome than ever, and her more desirable than ever." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He put his hands on her shoulders to steady himself, his head and body feeling strangely light, her skin creamy and warm to his touch. Her eyes were dancing and he looked down, loving her, and kissed her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gently at first, then, as she responded, glorying further in her taste and welcome. \"I love you,\" he murmured between kisses." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I love you,\" she replied, believing it and weak with pleasure, so happy that he seemed truly better, his lips strong and seeking and hands strong and seeking but within bounds, bounds that suddenly, deliriously, she wanted to cast aside. \"Je t'aime, chéri... je t'aime...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment they stood in their embrace and then with a strength he did not know he had, he lifted her and sat again in the big, high-backed chair and cradled her in his lap, lips touching, one arm around her tiny waist, a hand quietly on her breast, the silk seeming to enhance the half-cupped warmth beneath. Wonder filled him. Wonder that here where every part of her was covered and forbidden, in the night, all was open and offered and was young, but now he was more euphoric and stimulated than he had ever been, yet at the same time controlled, no longer frantic with lust." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So strange,\" he murmured, and thought, but not so strange, the pain's masked by the medicine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The rest isn't, my love for her.\n\n\"Chéri?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Strange that I need you so much yet I can wait. Not long but I can wait.\"\n\n\"Please not long, please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again her lips sought his, nothing in her mind but him, heat welding her memory closed and worry closed and never a problem anymore." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For both of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then the sudden sound of a nearby gunshot from outside." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their mood shattered, she sat upright on his lap and before she knew it was hurrying for the half-open window. Below she could see Pallidar and Tyrer—damn, I'd forgotten them, she thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two men were looking inland, then they turned, their attention directed towards Drunk Town." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She craned out of the window but saw only a vague group of men at the far end, their bleary shouts wafted on the wind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It seems to be nothing, just Drunk Town...\" she said, guns and fights, even duels, not rare in that part of Yokohama." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, feeling strange and chilled and at the same time flushed, she came back and looked at him. With a little sigh she knelt and took his hand and pressed it to her cheek, her head in his lap, but his gentleness and his fingers caressing her hair and the nape of her neck no longer drove the devils away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I should go home, my love.\"\n\n\"Yes.\" His fingers continued their stroking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I want to stay.\"\n\n\"I know.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan saw himself, out of himself, the perfect gentleman, calm, quiet, helping her to her feet, waiting while she straightened her bodice and hair and draped her shawl around her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, hand in hand, walking slowly with her to the head of the stairs where he allowed himself to be persuaded to stay, permitting a servant to lead her below. At the door she turned once and waved a loving farewell and he waved and then she was gone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It seemed to take him no effort to walk back and undress, letting his servant pull off his boots. Then into bed with no help at all, lying back at peace with himself and the world." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Head fine, body fine, relaxed.\n\n\"How is my son?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah Tok whispered from the doorway.\n\n\"In the Land of the Poppy.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Down the High Street, the French soldier sentry, his uniform as sloppy as his manner, opened the Legation door for her. \"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Bonsoir, Monsieur. Good night, Phillip, good night, Settry.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The door closed and she leaned against it a moment to collect herself. The delight of the evening had vanished. In its place, the spectres were crowding for attention. Deep in thought she walked across the hall towards her suite, saw a light under Seratard's door. She stopped and, on a sudden impulse that this might be a perfect time to ask for a loan, she knocked and went in. \"Oh! André! Hello, excuse me, I was expecting Monsieur Henri.\"\n\n\"He's still with Sir William. I'm just finishing a dispatch for him.\" André was at Seratard's desk, many papers spread around. The dispatch dealt with Struan's, their possible arms deal with the Choshu, and the possible help that a possible French wife might render their fledgling arms industry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Did you have a good time? How's your fiancé?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He's much better, thank you. The dinner was huge, if you like to eat heavily. Ah, to be in Paris, yes?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" My God, she's beddable, he thought, and that reminded him of the infectious vileness eating him away.\n\n\"What is it?\" she asked, startled by his sudden pallor.\n\n\"Nothing.\" He cleared his throat and fought to control the horror. \"Just out of sorts—nothing grave.\"\n\nHe seemed so vulnerable, so helpless that abruptly she decided to trust him again and closed the door and sat near him, pouring out her story. \"What am I going to do, dear André? I can't get any cash... what can I do?\"\n\n\"Dry your tears, Angelique, the answer is so simple. Tomorrow or the next day I will take you shopping,\" he said, his mind quite clear for mundane matters. \"You've asked me to go shopping with you, haven't you, to help find an engagement present for Monsieur Struan. Gold cuff links with pearls, and pearl earrings for yourself.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His voice saddened. \"But oh, so terrible, somewhere en route back from the jewelers you lose one pair—we look everywhere but to no avail. Terrible!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His pale brown eyes held hers. \"Meanwhile the mama-san has her secret payment, I will make sure the pair you 'lose' more than covers the medicine, and all costs.\"\n\n\"You're wonderful!\" she burst out and hugged him. \"Wonderful, what would I do without you?\" She embraced him again, thanked him again and virtually danced out of the room.\n\nHe looked at the closed door a long time. Yes, it will cover the medicine, and my twenty louis, and other expenses if I decide, he thought, curiously unsettled. Poor little cabbage, so easy to manipulate you. You embroil yourself in deeper and deeper whirlpools." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ayeeyah, Miss'ee,\" Ah Soh said, trying to help Angelique undress, who would not be still, again in a merry mood, her immediate problem solved. \"Miss'ee!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, very well, but do hurry.\" Angelique stood by her bed but continued to hum her cheery polka, the room more feminine and friendly in the oil light than during the day, the glass windows slightly ajar with the slatted shutters barred.\n\n\"Miss'ee gud time, heya?\" Nimbly Ah Soh began to untie the waist straps of the crinoline.\n\n\"Good, thank you,\" Angelique said politely, not liking her particularly. Ah Soh was a big-hipped, middle-aged woman, a servant and not a real amah. \"But she's so old, Malcolm, can't you find me someone young and pretty who laughs!\"\n\n\"Gordon Chen, our compradore, chose her, Angel. He guarantees she's completely trustworthy, she can brush your hair, bathe you, can look after your European clothes, and she's my gift to you while she's with you in Japan...\"\n\nThe straps loosened and the crinoline fell away, then Ah Soh did the same with the petticoat and last the vast framework of hoops of bone and metal that gave the crinoline body. Long pantaloons, silk stockings, short slip and the boned cinch and corset that made her twenty-inch waist eighteen inches and swelled her breasts fashionably." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the maid unlaced the cinchcorset Angelique let out a deep sigh of contentment, stepped out of the sea of material and flopped on the bed and, as a child would, allowed herself to be undressed completely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obediently she raised her arms to permit the flowery nightdress to be eased around her.\n\n\"Sit, Miss'ee.\"\n\n\"No, not tonight, Ah Soh, my hair can wait.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah, t'morro no gud!\" Ah Soh brandished the brush.\n\n\"Oh, all right.\" Angelique sighed and scrambled off the bed and sat by the dressing table and allowed her to take out the pins and begin to brush. It felt very good. Oh, how clever André is! He makes everything so simple—now I can get all the money I need. Oh, how clever he is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From time to time a benign sea breeze creaked the shutters. A hundred yards away, across the promenade, waves ran up the pebbled shore and departed and came again with a good sound that promised another gentle night that all in the Settlement had welcomed. The fleet had left with the light. Everyone not drunk or bedridden had watched with varying degrees of anxiety as the ships sailed off. All wished them Godspeed and a quick return. Except the Japanese. Ori was one of them and he had his eyes pressed to a crack in one of her shutters, well hidden and camouflaged by the tall camellia bushes that grew here abundantly and that Seratard, a keen gardener, had had planted.\n\nLong before midnight Ori was in this ambush, waiting for her, time passing slowly, thinking and rethinking schemes, exhausting himself, nervously checking and rechecking that his short sword was loose in its scabbard and the derringer safe in the sleeve of his fisherman's kimono. But when he had seen her approaching the Legation in the company of the two gai-jin, all his tiredness had vanished.\n\nFor a moment he had contemplated rushing out and killing them but discarded that foolishness, knowing it was unlikely he could kill the three of them, and the sentry, before being killed himself. And anyway, he thought grimly, that would end my plan to have her once more before I die, and then to burn the Settlement." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Without me to goad Hiraga he will never do it. He's too weak now—he's gai-jin infected. If Hiraga the Strong can succumb so quickly, what about others? The Emperor is right to hate gai-jin and want them expelled!\n\nSo he curbed his anger and slunk deeper into hiding, biding his time, planning for any eventuality. No way through the windows unless she unbarred them. The back door was unguarded and possible—and plenty of footholds to the next floor if it would not open. He had watched the undressing in every detail, barely two paces away, beyond the wall. Now she was being prepared for bed, the maid fussing about her mistress. His impatience became almost unbearable." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Earlier one of the mixed naval and army patrols that roamed the Settlement nightly to keep order had suddenly challenged him in a lane behind High Street. He had stopped without fear; there was no curfew nor was any part of the Settlement forbidden to Japanese, though, wisely, they kept mostly to their own quarter and chose not to tempt gai-jin temper. Unfortunately the Sergeant had rudely shoved a lantern in his face, making him jerk back, startled. The concealed short sword clattered to the ground. \"'Ere, you little bastard, you knows daggers'n the like is forbidden, kinjiru.\"\n\nThough Ori did not understand the words, the rule and penalty were common knowledge. At once he grabbed up his knife and fled. The Sergeant fired at him but the bullet haranggged off a tile harmlessly and he leapt over a low wall to lose himself in the maze of lanes and dwellings. The patrol did not bother to give chase, just shouted a few curses after him. Carrying a knife was a small misdemeanor, worth only an immediate beating and the weapon confiscated." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again he had waited in hiding until he could join a group of fishermen to go down to the shore, then doubled back, scaled the Legation fence and quickly found a safe place. Once there he had slumped down and began to wait.\n\nThis morning, he had pretended he was ready to leave the Yoshiwara for Kyōto as Hiraga had demanded. \"As soon as I've contacted Katsumata there, I'll send you a message,\" he had said, deliberately tight-lipped. \"Make sure the girl does not escape!\"\n\n\"She's the tai-pan's woman so her every step is measured and she'll be easy to find,\" Hiraga had told him, as coldly. \"Watch yourself, the Tokaidō will be dangerous—Enforcer patrol and barrier guards will be very alert.\"\n\n\"Better we honor sonno-joi, better you allow me to stay, better we burn Yokohama. Akimoto arrives today, we could do it easily.\"\n\n\"We will, when you return. If you stay now you will make a mistake, the woman has turned your head and made you dangerous, to yourself, your friends and sonno-joi.\"\n\n\"What about you, Hiraga? The gai-jin have turned you and twisted your judgment.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No. I tell you for the last time.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Careless of provoking Hiraga even more, he flared, \"You saw what scum gai-jin are, drunk and revolting, fighting like beasts, carousing in the filth of Drunk Town—are these the men you want to know more of, to be like?\"\n\n\"Go!\"\n\nAngrily he had collected his short sword and derringer. At Raiko's suggestion he joined the daily procession of servants leaving for Kanagawa market where the best saké and foods were purchased. With them he had passed through the Yoshiwara and Settlement barriers, the Enforcer patrol still lurking amongst the guards, making them as nervous as the villagers. Halfway to Kanagawa, the road traffic heavy, he had slipped away to the shore. There he had bribed a fisherman to row him to the far end of the Settlement, near Drunk Town, to hide him till dusk.\n\nI am doing the correct thing, he thought with absolute conviction, the small sea wind scattering the night insects. The woman is the perfect target for sonno-joi. Whatever Hiraga says I may never have another chance to cast away her spell." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, I am in her spell. She must be a kami, a spirit, a wolf woman reborn gai-jin, no other woman could be virgin and drugged yet still be as welcoming, no other could make a man explode like I exploded, or keep me deranged with desire.\n\nTonight I will lay her for the second time. Then I will kill her. If I escape, karma. If I do not escape, karma. But she will die by my hand.\n\nThe sweat was running down his face and back. Once more he concentrated, watching her through the crack, so very close that, but for the wall, he could almost reach out and touch her. She climbed into bed, nightdress revealing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now the maid turned down the oil flame to leave a warm glow of light.\n\n\"'Night, Miss'ee.\"\n\n\"'Night, Ah Soh.\"\n\nHappy to be alone, Angelique snuggled down in the bedclothes, watching the flame shadows dance with the drafts, her head resting comfortably on her arm. Before Kanagawa the dark had never bothered her and she would go quickly into dreamtime to awake refreshed. Since Kanagawa her pattern had changed. Now she insisted on a night light. Sleep did not come easily. Soon her mind took her into paths of wild surmise. Her hands would stray to her breasts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are they a little fuller than yesterday, my nipples more sensitive?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'difference' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, yes, they are, no, it is just imagination. And my stomach? Is it rounder? No, there's no difference and yet...\n\nAnd yet there is a vast difference, like b.c. and a.d. and at least once a day I wonder, would it be a boy or girl? Or devil, taking after the rapist father. No, no child of mine could be a devil!\n\nDevil. That reminds me today's Friday and in two days I have to go to church and confess again. The words get no easier. How I hate confession now and loathe Father Leo, such a fat, uncouth, tobacco-smelling and lecherous old man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He reminds me of Aunt Emma's confessor in Paris—the ancient Scot, smelling of whisky, whose French was as vile as his cassock." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lucky for me that neither she nor Uncle Michel were fanatic, just ordinary Sunday Catholics. I wonder how she is, and poor Uncle Michel. Tomorrow I will speak to Malcolm...\n\nDear, dear Malcolm, he was so nice tonight, so strong and wise and oh, how I wanted him. So glad I can talk to him, so lucky for me that Aunt Emma refused to learn French so I had to learn English. How could she possibly survive in Paris all those years speaking only English, and what possessed Uncle Michel to marry her and endure such hardship? Though I love her and him, she so dowdy, he so ordinary.\n\nLove! That's what he would always say and she would say and that they had met when he was in Normandy one summer vacation, she an actress with a travelling Shakespearean troupe, he a junior official. It was love at first glance, they would always say, and tell how beautiful she was and handsome he was. Then running away together, married within the week, so romantic but not so happy ever after." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But we will be, Malcolm and I. Ah, yes, and I will love Malcolm as a modern wife should, we'll have lots of children, they'll be brought up Catholic, it won't matter to him, he's not fanatic either: \"I'm really not, Angelique. Of course we'll be married according to Protestant traditions, Mother will not have it otherwise, of that I'm certain. Afterwards we can have a Catholic ceremony, privately, if you wish...\"\n\nNever mind, even if it's secret, it's the real marriage—not like the other—the children will be accepted into Mother Church, we will all live in Paris most of the year, he will love me and I will love him and we'll make love marvelously, she thought, her heart beginning to thump pleasantly as she let her mind roam. Deeper and deeper. Then, because the evening had been wonderful and she felt wonderful and quite safe, she allowed the pleasing parts of that night's dream to return.\n\nShe could remember none of it exactly. The outrage dissolved into pictures within erotic pictures within erotic pictures. A little burning that became a pervading warmth. Knowing but not knowing. Feeling but not feeling strong arms embracing, and being possessed by a never-before-experienced sensuality and openness, head, body, life, gloriously free to abandon all restraint, to relish everything because it was... just a dream.\n\nBut did I awake, or almost awake, and only pretend that I didn't, she asked herself again and again, always with a shudder. I could not have responded that wantonly awake—surely not—but the dream was so strong and, in its grasp, I was driven by a tempest to want more and again more and..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She heard the outer door open and close and then the bedroom door latch moving and whirled to see André open the door silently and close it silently, bolt it, and lean against it, a mocking smile on his lips." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly she was afraid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What do you want, André?\"\n\nFor a long time he did not answer, then came over to the bed and stared down at her. \"To... to talk, eh?\" he said softly. \"We should, eh? Talk, or—or what?\"\n\n\"I don't understand,\" she said, understanding too well, painfully aware of the disturbing glitter in his eyes where only a few minutes before there had been only compassion. But she kept her voice reasonable, cursing herself that she had not barred the door—never a need here, always servants or Legation staff about and no one would dare enter without permission. \"Please, don't y—\"\n\n\"We should talk, about tomorrow and be—be friends.\"\n\n\"Dear André, please, it's late, whatever it is can wait until tomorrow, sorry but you've no right to come in here without knock—\" In momentary panic she retreated to the other side of the bed as he sat on the edge and reached for her. \"Stop or I'll scream!\"\n\nHis laugh was soft and barbed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If you scream, dear Angelique, that will bring the servants and I will unlock the door and tell them you invited me here—you wanted privacy to discuss your need for money, cash money, for your abortion.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again the mocking twisted smile. \"Eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, André, don't be like that, please leave, please—if someone were to see you, please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"First... first a kiss.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She flushed. \"Get out, how dare you!\"\n\n\"Shut up and listen,\" he whispered harshly, and his hand caught her wrist and held it in a vise. \"I can dare anything, if I want more than a kiss you'll give it to me happily or else. Without me you'll be found out, without me—\"\n\n\"André... please let me go.\" As much as she tried she could not break his grip. With a twisted smile he released her. \"You hurt me,\" she said, near tears.\n\n\"I don't want to hurt you,\" he said throatily, his voice sounding strange to him and he knew he was insane to be here and doing this, but he had been caught up in such sudden horror that it had overpowered his reason, his feet carrying him here of their own volition, to force her to—to what? To share his degradation. Why not? his brain was shrieking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's her fault, flaunting her tits and blatant sexuality, reminding me! She's no better than a street slut, maybe she wasn't raped, isn't she out to trap Struan and his millions by any means? \"I'm—I'm your friend, aren't I helping you? Come over here, a—a kiss isn't much payment.\"\n\n\"No!\"\n\n\"By Christ, do it happily or I'll stop helping you and, in a day or two, I'll inform Struan and Babcott, anonymously. You want that? Eh?\"\n\n\"André, please...\" She looked around, desperate for a way to escape. There was none. He moved closer to her on the bed and reached for her breast but she pushed his hand away and began to resist and to fight and hacked with her nails for his eyes but he held her helpless as she struggled, afraid to call out, knowing she was snared and lost and would have to submit. Abruptly, there was a violent pounding on the shutter.\n\nThe suddenness ripped André out of his madness and she screamed in fright. Aghast, he leapt off the bed, rushed for the door, unlocked it and the one to the corridor, then whirled and ran to the windows, pulling them open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In seconds he had unbarred the shutters and shoved them outwards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing. No one there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing but bushes waving in the wind, the sound of the sea, the promenade beyond the fence empty of people." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A sentry hurried into view. \"What's going on?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "⚠️ Required: Use 'around' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I should ask you that, soldier,\" André said, his heart grinding, his words tumbling over. \"Did you see anyone, anything? I was passing Mademoiselle's door and heard, or thought I heard, someone pounding on her shutters. Quick, look around!\"\n\nBehind him, Pierre Vervene, the Chargé d'Affaires, a flickering candle in his hand, hurried anxiously into the room, dressing gown over his nightshirt, nightcap askew. Others began crowding the doorway, \"What's going on—oh, André! What the devil... what's going on? Mademoiselle, you screamed?\"\n\n\"Yes... I... he—\" she stammered. \"André was... he... someone banged on the shutters and André, well, he—\"\n\n\"I was just passing her door,\" André said, \"and rushed in—isn't that true, Angelique?\"\n\nShe dropped her eyes, holding the bedclothes closer around her. \"Yes, yes, that's true,\" she said, afraid and hating him but attempting to hide it.\n\nVervene joined André at the window and peered out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Perhaps it was the wind, we have sudden squalls here and the shutters aren't exactly new.\" He shook one of them. Indeed it was loose and rattled noisily. Then he leaned out and shouted after the sentry. \"Make a very good search and come back and report to me.\" Then he closed and barred the shutters, and rebolted the windows. \"There! Nothing to worry about.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, but...\" Tears of relief began to well.\n\n\"Mon Dieu, Mademoiselle, nothing to worry about, don't cry, you're perfectly safe, no need to worry, of course not.\" Vervene took off his nightcap and scratched his bald pate, at a loss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, thankfully, he saw Ah Soh amongst the others at the doorway and motioned at her importantly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah Soh, you-ah sleep here, with Miss'ee, heya?\"\n\n\"Yes, Mass'er.\" Ah Soh hurried off to get some bedding and everyone else began to drift away.\n\n\"I'll wait with you, Mademoiselle Angelique, until she returns.\" The older man yawned. \"Probably you were both mistaken, and it was the wind. Who would want to bang on the shutters, eh? There aren't any rotten little street urchins and guttersnipes in the Settlement to play pranks or be pickpockets, thank God! Must have been the wind, eh?\"\n\n\"I'm sure you're right,\" André said, over his scare now, dreading that someone had been outside, watching—he had seen the crack but no other signs. \"Don't you agree, Angelique?\"\n\n\"I—I, perhaps yes,\" she said, very unsettled and not yet recovered from her fright, both because of him and because of the sudden sound. Why did it happen then? Was it someone, or just a God-given wind—truly a gift from God?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wind or not, person or not, I don't care, she decided." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't care, I escaped, tomorrow I move back beside Malcolm, daren't stay here, mustn't stay, too close to André, too dangerous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It sounded like someone banging, but—but I could be mistaken. It could have been a—a sudden gust.\"\n\n\"I'm sure it was,\" Vervene said confidently. \"My shutters are always banging, wake me up all the time.\" He coughed and sat down, peering kindly at André whose face was still chalky. \"No need for you to wait, my friend. You don't look very well at all, as though, Heaven forbid, you've a crisis of the liver.\"\n\n\"Perhaps—perhaps I have. I—I certainly don't feel very well.\" André glanced at Angelique. \"Sorry,\" he said, holding her eyes, making his voice calm and soft, seemingly the old André once more, all strangeness and lust and violence vanished. \"Good night, Angelique, you've nothing to be afraid of, ever. Monsieur Vervene is quite right.\"\n\n\"Yes... yes, thank you, André.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She forced a smile and then he was gone." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had looked at him deeply, wanting to read the truth behind his eyes. They were friendly, nothing else. But she did not trust what she had seen. Even so, she knew that she would have to make peace with him, would accept his inevitable apologies—pretending to forget everything and agreeing the attack was a momentary madness—and would become friends again. On the surface.\n\nShe shuddered. In her innermost being she also grasped that whatever he demanded, eventually she would have to give. While he lived." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ori was trembling, hunched down against an upturned fishing boat on the pebbled beach. Twenty yards away was the edge of the surf, the waves sibilant. \"You're completely baka,\" he gasped, his fury directed totally against himself. Before he realized what he was doing he had hammered on the shutters and then, appalled at his stupidity, had rushed away, scaled the fence, found the oar he used as camouflage, shouldered it and loped across the roadway without being challenged, gai-jin voices in his wake.\n\nHiraga must be right, he thought, nauseated, mixed up, his heart aching in his chest, shoulder throbbing and a warm trickle of blood seeping from the tear in the wound his headlong flight had caused. Perhaps this woman really has sent me mad. Madness to pound on the shutters—what good would that do me?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What does it matter if another pillows her? Why should that enflame me, make my heart roar in my ears? I don't own her or want to own her, what does it matter if another gai-jin takes her with or without violence? Some women need a measure of violence to excite them, like many men... ah, wait, would it have been better if she had fought me rather than welcoming me, however drugged she was—or pretended to be?\n\nPretended?\n\nThis was the first time such a thought had entered his mind. Some of his venom left him though his heart continued to race and the ache behind his temples did not leave." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Could she have been pretending?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eeee, it's possible, her arms embraced me and her legs wrapped me and her body moved like no one has ever moved—all pillow partners move sensually, with moans and sighs and sometimes a few tears and, \"Oh, how strong you are, how you exhaust me, never have I had the privilege of such a man before...\" but every client knows that these are surface words, learned by rote, part of their training, nothing more, and meaningless." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'probably' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She wasn't like that, every moment had meaning for me. Whether she pretended or not doesn't matter—she probably did, women are so filled with guile. I don't care, I should not have bludgeoned the shutter like a berserk fool, revealing my presence and hiding place and probably ruining forever my chance of gaining access there again!\n\nAgain his anger burst. His fist smashed the wood of the hull. \"Baka!\" he croaked, wanting to shriek it aloud.\n\nFootsteps on the pebbles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "On guard, he slid deeper into the shadows, the moon baleful, then heard the voices of approaching fishermen, chatting one with another, and cursed himself afresh for not being more alert." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Almost at once, a rough, middle-aged fisherman came around the stern of the boat and stopped. \"Watch out! Who're you, stranger?\" the man said angrily, readying the short mast he carried as a club. \"What are you up to?\"\n\nOri did not move, just glared up at him and at the other two who moved up beside him. One was also middle-aged, the other a youth not much older than Ori himself. Both carried oars and fishing tackle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You do not ask those questions of your betters,\" he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Where are your manners?\"\n\n\"Who're you, you're not samur—\" The man stopped, petrified, as Ori leapt to his feet, the sword instantly in his hand, the blade dangerously half out of its scabbard.\n\n\"On your knees, scum, before I cut your baka hearts out—a haircut does not make me any less samurai!\" Instantly the fishermen fell to their knees, heads to the beach and were bleating their apologies, no mistaking the authority or the way the short sword was held. \"Shut up!\" Ori snarled. \"Where were you going?\"\n\n\"To fish, Lord, half a league out to sea, please excuse us but, well, in the dark and your hair not norm—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Shut up! Get the boat in the water. Move!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once safe out to sea, now over his blinding anger, the salt air cleansing, Ori looked back at the Settlement. Lights still on in the French and British Legations, the Struan Building and the Club that Hiraga had identified for him. Oil streetlamps along the praia, a few windows glowing in other bungalows and godowns, Drunk Town pulsating as normal throughout the night, the gin shops never totally sleeping.\n\nBut all of his attention was on the French Legation. Why? he kept asking himself. Why should I have been so possessed with—jealousy, that's the real word. An insane jealousy. To be jealous over pillowing is baka!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it because of what Hiraga had told me: \"Taira says their custom is like ours amongst the leader class, a man does not pillow the woman he will marry before marriage...\" which means this tai-pan will not bed her and, as she is promised, no one else has the right." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word restriction: Use 'because' 3 time(s) only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did I smash the shutters to prevent that man pillowing her—or was it to protect her?\n\nOr was it just because I wanted no other man to enjoy her until I can again—that's even more stupid, how could I ever tell? Was it because I was the first? Does that make that pillowing different: because you have possessed her uniquely? Remember, Chinese have always believed virginity to be the most powerful aphrodisiac between Heaven and Earth. Is that why I did what I did?\n\nNo. It was a sudden impulse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I believe she is a wolf woman who must be killed—preferably after I've pillowed her once more—for me to escape her spell." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But how and when? It must be now.\n\nToo dangerous to stay in the Settlement, or Yoshiwara. Hiraga is bound to hear I have not left. I am a dead man if he finds me. Could I risk three more days, then, if I fail to snare her, hurry off to Kyōto with Hiraga none the wiser? Safer to leave now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Which? \"You, old man, where do you live?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Second Street, Fifth House, Lord,\" the fisherman said, all of them deeply afraid, long since realizing that this must be one of the ronin who were hiding in the Settlement to escape the Toranaga Enforcers." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Church bells were beckoning the faithful on this nice crisp morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not many bloody faithful in Yokohama,\" Jamie McFay said to Struan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "McFay's shoulders and back were aching, the church and the coming service not to his liking, nothing like the austere Scottish Presbyterianism of his childhood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not that I'm a real churchgoer, not anymore,\" he said, very much on guard, unsure how Struan was going to be after their violent row the day before. \"My ma's still as strict as they come, three times on Sunday!\"\n\n\"Like mine, though she's Church of England,\" Struan agreed heavily. He walked slowly and badly, hunched over, leaning on his canes, amid groups of men converging on the church that was down the High Street and set back slightly in its own garden on a choice lot facing the sea. \"The church is pretty though. Makes Yokohama permanent.\"\n\nHoly Trinity, or Holy Titty as they privately dubbed it, was the pride of the Settlement. It had been consecrated last year by the Bishop of Hong Kong. The steeple was tall and the bell sweet-sounding, reminding all ex-patriots of home—so very far away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wood and plaster and bricks from Shanghai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neat gardens and small cemetery with only seven graves, sickness rare in Yokohama—unlike Hong Kong with its plagues and the lethal Happy Valley fever, malaria—all seven deaths by misadventure, except one of old age. Twenty years working in Asia were rare and men past retirement age, rarer still.\n\nAgain the bell tolled, not yet insistent, more than enough time to take their places, the Noble House pew in the first row. I need all the help I can get, Struan was thinking fervently, never devout though always a believer. I'm glad it's our church more than the other traders'.\n\nThe land and the building had been donated to the Church of England by all traders. They had enthusiastically voted the levy four hours after the Yokohama Club had opened its doors for business, the same day the Settlement was founded—at McFay's insistence and on the orders of Tess Struan, who guaranteed fifty percent of the cost. She had also pledged to provide the bell and had it cast in their new foundry in Hong Kong." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Tyler Brock heard about it, not to be outdone by his estranged and hated daughter, he had ordered a stained-glass window from London and pews of English oak.\n\n\"Sunday church's all right, once a month, Father used to say, but never in Mother's hearing.\" Struan smiled bleakly. \"When he was younger he was as much a churchgoer as she is now...\" He stopped a moment to gather his breath and stared out to sea. The sea was choppy, blue-grey, the sky speckled with cumulus. A dozen or so merchantmen lay snug in the roads, English predominately, one American, one Russian, yesterday's mail steamer, the French paddle steamer flagship wallowing at anchor, and the 21-gun steam frigate H.M.S. Pearl, still without her foremast. \"Feels naked without the fleet, doesn't it?\"\n\n\"Yes, it does. Not many will miss prayers today.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "McFay circled his head to ease the ache in his neck." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How long do you think they'll be gone?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A month is my bet... 'Morning, Mrs. Lunkchurch.\" Both raised their hats politely, Struan awkwardly, as she sailed past, bustled and bonneted, husband sweatily in tow, his face dark with bruises. \"What the devil happened to him?\"\n\n\"Fighting,\" McFay said cautiously, still trying to gauge Struan's humor—he had not seen him or heard from him since yesterday except to get a curt message this morning to join him for their walk to church. He fell into step as Struan started off again. \"Seems he, Dmitri and a few others decided to visit Drunk Town last night for a Saturday night binge.\"\n\n\"You mean punch-up?\"\n\n\"'Fraid that was the basic idea. Dmitri, well, he said they had a grand time.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan noticed the sudden glint in McFay's eyes." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Work this phrase into your response organically: \"No, but och ay, Tai-pan, we had a grand time.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, you were there too, Jamie?\" he asked dryly, then smiled.\n\nMcFay saw the smile and was greatly relieved. \"Well, yes, Tai-pan, yes, I went along... but just to make sure Dmitri didn't get into trouble.\"\n\n\"Did he?\" Struan asked with a sudden stab of envy.\n\n\"No, but och ay, Tai-pan, we had a grand time.\"\n\n\"You lucky fellow! Come on, Jamie, tell all!\"\n\nJamie heard and saw the open friendliness and camaraderie that he had been afraid he had lost forever and beamed, his aches forgotten, angers forgotten and worries over his future." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There was a smashing cockfight at the Bull and Cock, best we've had here, they've a new ring now and a new Nagasaki beer that's better than our own Highland Dark! Two army handlers were pitted against two of our lads, Chandler Sykes and Old Bloody.\"\n\n\"Who?\"\n\n\"He's one of our retired seamen, a master gunner, name of Charlie Bent, who paid off of Lasting Cloud—the same gunner who blew Wu Sung Choi's war junk out of the water for your dad, back in '43. Now he's nicknamed 'Old Bloody' as he looks after the abattoir. Well, I backed him all the way, Tai-pan, and won twenty-five pounds. Afterwards we descended on the Yokopoko Palace—that's the biggest tavern in Drunk Town, Army mostly, the Navy go to the Friar Tuck and never the twain shall meet.\" He laughed. \"Lost a tenner at roulette, another five at dice. In no time at all there was the greatest free-for-all, traders against the rest. I think we won. Then home to bed though, er, a few repaired to Naughty Nellie's.\"\n\n\"You too?\"\n\n\"Well, yes, but only for a nightcap, her champagne's the best and cheapest in Yokohama.\"\n\n\"And the girls?\"\n\nMcFay laughed again. \"Nothing like Mrs. Fortheringill's Establishment for Young Ladies in Hong Kong! There're about a dozen birds, most from the East End via Hong Kong, a few from Sydney in Australia, daughters of women convicts who've served their time and stayed on. They're all a bit grotty, and not to my taste.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Filled with bonhomie he greeted passersby and added without thinking, \"My needs are more than well looked after by Nemi.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He glanced at Struan and saw the stretched face. His good humor vanished and he cursed himself for mentioning her. \"You all right, Tai-pan?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes of course,\" Struan said, abruptly filled with envy at the other man's strength and virility, not loathing him for it, just himself. \"Can't bear being like this, Jamie, hate it. Hate it! Christ, it's so difficult to be patient. I've just got to, I know that.\" He forced a smile. \"Nemi? Oh yes, she seemed a nice girl. Pretty.\" With a vast effort Struan tore his mind off Shizuka and his failure, his frantic need to succeed with Angelique, and to weather the shoals ahead and coming tempest his mother was bound to generate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One thing at a time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gear yourself to get through church, then through the rest of the day until six o'clock when Ah Tok will bring you the medicine: \"Would you like a little before you go to your temple, my son?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, thank you, Mother, once a day is enough. The doctor said I should be careful.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What do foreign devils know?\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah, I'm a foreign devil.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah, yes, but you're my son...\"\n\nAh Tok's such an old biddy. But then I can trust her. No harm in a little once a day. I can quit anytime, anytime, he reassured himself. Don't need it during the day though it certainly helps." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Got to decide about Mother's letter, got to write her by tomorrow's mail. Got to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her letter had been delivered by hand from the mail ship by special courier, inevitably a relation of their compradore, Gordon Chen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again it had had no \"P.S. I love you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again the secret message had infuriated him:\n\nMalcolm: Have you gone totally dotty? Engagement party? After I warned you? Why on earth did you totally disregard my letter and my urgent summons to return? If it wasn't for Dr. Hoag's medical report received today with the unbelievable news I would have presumed you had head injuries as well as the terrible sword wounds. I have demanded our Governor take the most stringent measures against these uncivilized beasts and bring the violators to the Queen's justice at once! If he doesn't, I warned him personally that the whole force of the Noble House will be arranged against this administration!\n\nEnough of that. It is VITAL that you return to Hong Kong at once to make final three matters—of course I am prepared to forgive your transgression, you are still so very young, you have been through a terrible experience and have fallen into the clutches of an exceedingly clever woman." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thank God you are gaining strength every day. From Dr. Hoag's report, thankfully you should certainly be fit enough to travel by the time you receive this (I have instructed Dr. Hoag to return with you and hold him personally responsible for yr safety). I have booked passage for you both on the mail ship—not for her, deliberately.\n\nIt is essential you come back QUICKLY AND ALONE: first to formally become tai-pan. Yr grandfather left specific instructions, in writing, that MUST be complied with before you LEGALLY become tai-pan of Struan's whatever yr father or I leave to you by will. Before yr father died, in your absence, my son, he made me swear what had to be sworn and that I would swear you to these same conditions. This must be done quickly.\n\nSecond: because we must decide at once how to combat Tyler Brock's attack on us—I mentioned before that he has the full support of the Victoria Bank and today threatens to foreclose on our promissory notes that will ruin us if successful." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gordon Chen has suggested a solution but it is terribly risky, may not be put to paper, and requires the tai-pan's signature and participation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My stepbrother \"Sir\" Morgan Brock has just arrived in Hong Kong and is flaunting his knighthood that he only acquired by persuading his heirless father-in-law to adopt him who then, conveniently and almost at once thereafter, died." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was the poor man assisted? God forgive me but I would not doubt it. Both he and Tyler Brock openly claim that by Christmas they will have us humbled and they will be in possession of our Steward's box at the races in Happy Valley. The voting for a new Steward was yesterday. As per yr grandfather's wishes on yr behalf I again blackballed him. God forgive me but I hate my father so much I almost become mad.\n\nThird: yr entrapment! I could not believe my ears about this \"engagement party\" until it was confirmed. I hope by now, I pray God, yr good sense has returned and you realize what has happened to you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fortunately of course you cannot marry without my approval and certainly not the Catholic daughter of a runaway embezzler (there are warrants out to seize him for debts)." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In fairness I do understand you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gordon Chen explained how easy it would be for a youth like you to be embroiled so do not despair." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We have a plan that will extract you from her toils and prove to you conclusively that she is just a—sorry, my son, but I have to be blunt—just a Jezebel.\n\nWhen you marry, your wife must be English, God fearing, never a heretic, a lady of good family, trained and at ease in SOCIETY and worthy to be your wife, bringing you a suitable dowry and qualities to assist your future. When the time comes you will have many suitable ladies to choose from.\n\nBy the same mail I have written Dr. Hoag, and also McFay expressing my shock that he allowed this engagement stupidity to happen. I look forward to embracing you in a few days. yr loving Mother\n\nAlmost at once Jamie had rushed into the room, white-faced. \"She's heard!\"\n\n\"I know that. Never mind.\"\n\n\"Jesus Christ, Malcolm, you can't just say never mind!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "McFay spluttered, practically incoherent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He offered him the letter that shook in his hand. \"Here, read it for yourself.\"\n\nThe letter, without any form of greeting, was just signed Tess Struan:\n\nUnless you have a satisfactory explanation why you permitted my son (though he is to be tai-pan you MUST know is still a minor) to become engaged without first obtaining my approval—which you MUST know would never be forthcoming for such an unsuitable match, you will cease to head Struan's in Japan at the end of the year. Put Mr. Vargas in charge for the moment and return with my son on the mail ship to settle this matter.\n\nStruan had angrily shoved the letter back. \"I'm not going back to Hong Kong yet—I'll go when I choose.\"\n\n\"Christ Jesus, Malcolm, if she orders us back then we had better go. There're reasons th—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No!\" he had flared. \"Understand? no!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For God's sake, open your eyes to the truth,\" McFay had flared back." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required dialogue to include (maintain exact wording): \"Who're you going to obey, Jamie? Me or my mother?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You are under age, she is running the company and has been for years. We're under her orders an—\"\n\n\"I'm not under her orders, any orders. Get out!\"\n\n\"I won't! Can't you see what she asks is wise and no hardship. We can be back here in two to three weeks, you have to get her approval sometime, surely it's better to try now, it'll clear the air for you and make our job easier an—\"\n\n\"No! And... and I'm cancelling her orders: I order you. I'm tai-pan of Struan's!\"\n\n\"Christ, you must know I can't go against her!\"\n\nStruan almost faltered in his steps remembering the dreadful stab of pain in his loins as he had thoughtlessly scrambled out of his chair to his feet and shouted at McFay: \"You fucking listen, I remind you of your sacred oath to serve the tai-pan, the tai-pan, for Christ's sake, whoever he is, the tai-pan, not his fucking mother! remember?\"\n\n\"But, don't y—\"\n\n\"Who're you going to obey, Jamie? Me or my mother?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "There had been a vast chasm between them and more anger and more words, but he had prevailed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This battle was no contest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stipulation was written into every document of appointment, to be signed and settled under God's oath in accordance with their founder's instructions." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Mandatory: Your text must contain 'orders' 2 times exactly" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"All right, I agree!\" McFay had said through his teeth. \"But I dem—sorry, I ask the right to write to her and tell her my new orders.\"\n\n\"Do that, by the mail ship, and while you're about it, tell her the tai-pan orders you to stay here, that only I can fire you, as I will, by God, if I have any trouble—and that if I want to get engaged, minor or no, that's up to me.\" Then he had groped back to his chair, almost doubled up with pain.\n\n\"My God, Tai-pan,\" McFay said weakly, \"she'll dismiss me whether you like it or not. I'm finished.\"\n\n\"No. Not without my say-so, it's in our bylaws.\"\n\n\"Maybe. But like it or not, she can make my life and yours a misery.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, you're only doing what I want. You're within Dirk's law—and that's what governs her above all else,\" he said, remembering the times without number she had invoked the name of Dirk Struan to his father, or to him, or his brothers and sisters, on a point of business or morality or on life itself. And didn't Father and Mother both say a thousand times that I was to be tai-pan after him, everyone, particularly Uncle Gordon accepting that. Any formalities can wait, she's just using that as an additional excuse to curb me—Christ, I've trained all my life for the job, I know how to deal with her and I know what's wrong here. \"I'm tai-pan, by God, and now... now if you'll excuse me, I—I've work to do.\"\n\nThe moment he was alone he had shouted for Ah Tok.\n\nAyeeyah, that was one time I really needed the medicine, it works so well and saved me all that pain and anguish and gave me courage again and, later, such a happy time with Angelique. Ah, my angel, back again in her suite next door, thank God, so near and delectable and warm and near, but oh, and Christ, I wish when I thought of her the ache wouldn't begin, and that ache would not lead to the other pain and it's not yet midmorning with a boring sermon and lunch to endure—and more than eight hours until the next...\n\n\"Sorry about yesterday,\" McFay was saying. \"Very sorry.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'there' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'm not, it brought matters out in the open and settled them,\" he said with a curious strength. \"Now there's a real head to the company—I agree my father wasn't effective and spent most of the last few years drunk, with Mother doing the best she could, which hasn't kept us ahead of Brock's—again let's be honest, they're stronger and richer and more sound than we are and we'll be lucky to weather the current storm. Take Japan—Japan's hardly paying expenses.\"\n\n\"Yes, short term, but long term it will be profitable.\"\n\n\"Not the way you've been running it so far. Jappos are not buying any profitable goods from us. We buy silk cloth and silkworms, a few lacquer trinkets, what else? Nothing of value. They've no industry and don't seem to want any.\"\n\n\"True, but then China took time to open up, years. And there we've the opium, tea, silver triangle.\"\n\n\"True, but China's different. China's a cultured, ancient civilization. We've friends there and, as you say, a trading pattern. My point is we've got to hurry things up here to survive, or we close it down.\"\n\n\"As soon as Sir William sorts out the Bakufu—\"\n\n\"The pox on that!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan's voice sharpened. \"I'm tired of being stuck in a chair and sick of hearing people say we have to wait until Sir William orders the fleet and army to do its job. The next time there's a meeting with the Bakufu I want to be there—or better still you arrange a private one for me first.\"\n\n\"But, Tai-pan...\"\n\n\"Do it, Jamie. That's what I want. And do it quickly.\"\n\n\"I don't know how that's possible.\"\n\n\"Ask Phillip Tyrer's tame samurai, Nakama. Better still, arrange a secret meeting then Phillip won't be compromised.\"\n\nMcFay had given him the information that \"Nakama\" had provided. \"That's a good idea,\" he said, meaning it, and, seeing the jutting jaw and the fire he was warmed. Perhaps at long last, he thought, here's someone who can make things happen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll see Phillip after church.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When's the next ship scheduled for San Francisco?\"\n\n\"In a week, the Confederate merchantman, Savannah Lady.\" McFay dropped his voice cautiously, a group of other traders passing by. \"Our Choshu order goes with her.\"\n\n\"Who could we trust to go with her for a special mission?\" Struan asked, putting his plan into operation.\n\n\"Vargas.\"\n\n\"Not him, he's needed here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again Struan stopped, his legs aching, then hobbled to the side of the promenade where there was a low wall, mostly to rest but also to keep their conversation private. \"Who else? Has to be good.\"\n\n\"His nephew, Pedrito—he's a sharp lad, looks more Portuguese than Vargas, hardly any Chinese in his face, speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English and Cantonese—good at figures. He'd be acceptable in either the North or the Confederacy. What had you in mind?\"\n\n\"Book passage for him on that ship. I want him to go with the order which we're going to quadruple, also to ord—\"\n\n\"Four thousand rifles?\" McFay gaped at him.\n\n\"Yes, also send a letter to the factory via tomorrow's mail ship telling them to expect him. She'll connect with the California steamer out of Hong Kong.\"\n\nMcFay said uneasily, \"But we only got a down payment of gold to cover two hundred—we'll have to cover the whole order, that's factory policy. Don't you think we'd be overextending ourselves?\"\n\n\"Some people might think so. I don't.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'order' precisely 3 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Even with a shipment of two thousand—the Admiral's hysterical against importation of all arms and opium... I know he can't by law,\" McFay said hastily, \"but if he wants he can still seize a cargo on the grounds of national emergency.\"\n\n\"He won't find them or hear about them until it's too late—you'll be too clever. Meanwhile draft a letter to go with the order, and a copy by the mail ship—do it yourself, Jamie, privately—asking the factory for special service on this consignment, but also to make us their exclusive agents for Asia.\"\n\n\"That's a fine idea, Tai-pan, but I strongly advise against upping the order.\"\n\n\"Make it five thousand rifles, and emphasize we'll negotiate a most attractive deal. I don't want Norbert to steal a march on us.\" Struan began walking again, the pain worse now. Without looking at McFay he knew what he was thinking and said, an edge to his voice, \"There's no need to check with Hong Kong first. Do it. I'll sign the order and the letter.\"\n\nAfter a pause McFay nodded. \"Just as you say.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good.\" He heard the reluctance in McFay's voice and decided that now was the time." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'we're' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We're changing our policy in Japan. They like killing here, eh? According to this Nakama many of their kings are ready to revolt against the Bakufu who certainly aren't our friends. Good, we'll help them do what they want. We'll sell them what they want: armaments, some ships, even a gun factory or two, in ever-increasing amounts—for gold and silver.\"\n\n\"And what if they turn these guns on us?\"\n\n\"Once will be enough to teach them a lesson, like everywhere else on earth. We'll sell them muskets, some breech-loaders, but no machine guns, no big cannon or modern fighting ships. We're going to give the customer what he wants to buy.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angelique knelt and settled herself in the tiny screened confessional, as best as her voluminous skirts would allow, and began the ritual, the Latin words running together as was normal for those who did not read or write the language but had learned the obligatory prayers and responses from childhood by constant repetition. \"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned...\"\n\nOn the other side of the screen, Father Leo was more attentive than usual. Normally he listened with half an ear, sadly, sure that his penitents were lying, their sins unconfessed, their level of transgression great—but no greater than in other Settlements in Asia—and the penances he ordered were merely paid lip service, or totally disregarded.\n\n\"So, my child, you have sinned,\" he said in his most pleasant voice, his French heavily accented. He was fifty-five, corpulent and bearded, a Portuguese Jesuit and Believer, ordained for twenty-seven of those years and largely content with the crumbs of life he judged God permitted him. \"What sins have you committed this week?\"\n\n\"I forgot to ask the Madonna for forgiveness in my prayers one night,\" she said with perfect calm, continuing her pact, \"and had many bad thoughts and dreams, and was afraid, and forgot I was in God's hands...\"\n\nAt Kanagawa, the day after that night—once she had reasoned a way out of her catastrophe—she had knelt weeping before the small crucifix she always carried with her. \"Mother of God, there's no need to explain what has happened and how I've been sinned against grievously,\" she had sobbed, praying with all the fervor she could gather, \"or that I've no one to turn to, or that I need your help desperately, or that obviously I can't tell anyone, even at Confession, I daren't openly confess what has happened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I daren't, it would destroy the only chance..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So please, on my knees I beg you, may we have a pact: when I say at Confession: I forgot to ask the Blessed Mother for forgiveness in my prayers, it really means that I'm confessing and telling everything that I've told you and you've seen happen to me, together with the added little white lies I may—I will have to tell to protect myself. I beg forgiveness for asking, and beg your help, there's no one else I can turn to. I know you'll forgive me and know you'll understand because you are the Mother of God and a woman—you will understand and know you will absolve me...\"\n\nShe could see Father Leo's profile behind the screen and smell the wine and garlic on his breath. She sighed, thanked the Madonna with all her heart for helping her. \"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.\"\n\n\"Those sins don't appear to be so bad, my child.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Father.\" She stifled a yawn, preparing to accept her usual, modest penance, then to cross herself and be absolved and to thank him and to leave. Tiffin at the Club with Malcolm and Seratard, siesta in my beautiful suite next to Malcolm's, dinner at the Russian Leg—\n\n\"What kind of bad thoughts did you have?\"\n\n\"Oh, just being impatient,\" she said without thinking, \"and not content to rest in God's hands.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Impatient about what?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, with, impatient with my maid,\" she said flustered, caught unawares, \"and that—that my fiancé is not as fit, is not as well as I'd like him to be.\"\n\n\"Ah yes, the tai-pan, a fine young man but grandson of a great enemy of the True Church. Has he told you about him? His grandfather, Dirk Struan?\"\n\n\"Some stories, Father,\" she said, even more unsettled. \"About my maid I was impa—\"\n\n\"Malcolm Struan's a fine young man, not like his grandfather. You have asked him to become Catholic?\"\n\nThe color went out of her face. \"We have discussed it, yes. Such a... such a discussion is very delicate and—and of course may not be hurried.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes indeed.\" Father Leo had heard the intake of breath and sensed her anxiety. \"And I agree it is terribly important, for him and for you.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'children' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He frowned, his experience telling him the girl was hiding much from him—not that that would be unusual, he thought.\n\nHe was going to leave the matter there, then suddenly realized here was a God-given opportunity both to save a soul and have a worthwhile enterprise—life in Yokohama, unlike in his beloved and happy Portugal, was drab with little to do except fish and drink and eat and pray. His church was small and dingy, his flock sparse and ungodly, the Settlement a veritable prison. \"Such discussion may be delicate but it must be pressed forward. His immortal soul is in absolute jeopardy. I will pray for your success. Your children will be brought up in Mother Church—of course he has already agreed?\"\n\n\"Oh, we have discussed it too, Father,\" she said, forcing lightness. \"Of course our children will be Catholic.\"\n\n\"If they are not, you cast them into the Eternal Pit. Your immortal soul will be at risk as well.\" He was glad to notice her shudder. Good, he thought, one blow for the Lord against the Antichrist." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This must be formally agreed to before marriage.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her heart was racing now, her head aching with apprehension that she fought to keep out of her voice, believing absolutely in God and the Devil, Life Everlasting and Eternal Damnation. \"Thank you for your advice, Father.\"\n\n\"I will talk to Mr. Struan.\"\n\n\"Oh no, Father, please, no,\" she said in sudden panic, \"that would be... I suggest that would be very unwise.\"\n\n\"Unwise?\" Again he pursed his lips, scratching absently at the lice that inhabited his beard and hair and ancient cassock, quickly concluding the possible coup of Struan's conversion was a prize worth waiting for and needed careful planning. \"I will pray for God's guidance and that he will guide you too. But don't forget you are a minor, as he is. I suppose, in the absence of your father, Monsieur Seratard would legally be considered your guardian. Before any marriage could be performed or consummated permission must be granted, and these and other matters settled for the protection of your soul.\" He beamed, more than a little satisfied. \"Now, for penance, say ten Hail Marys and read the letters of Saint John twice by next Sunday—and continue to pray for God's guidance.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Father.\" Thankfully she crossed herself, her palms sweaty, and bowed her head for his benediction." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, absolvo tuum.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He made the sign of the cross over her. \"Pray for me, my child,\" he said with finality, ending the ritual, in his mind already beginning his dialogue with Malcolm Struan." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'japanese' × 3" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At dusk Phillip Tyrer was sitting cross-legged opposite Hiraga in a tiny private room in the equally tiny restaurant that was half hidden beside the house of the shoya, the village elder. They were the only customers, and this was the first real Japanese meal with a Japanese host Tyrer had experienced. He was hungry and ready to taste everything. \"Thank you invite me, Nakama-san.\"\n\n\"It is my pleasure, Tairasan. May I say that your Japanese accent is improving. Please eat.\"\n\nOn the low table between them the maid had set many small dishes with different foods, some hot some cold, on decorative lacquered trays. Shoji screens, tatami mats, small sliding windows open to the descending darkness, oil lamps giving a pleasing light, flower arrangement in the nook. Adjoining was another private room and, outside these, the rest of the restaurant, not much more than a corridor with stools that opened to an alley that led to the street—charcoal cooking brazier, saké and beer barrels, a cook and three maids.\n\nHiraga and Tyrer wore loose-belted sleeping-lounging kimonos—Tyrer enjoying its unaccustomed comfort and Hiraga relieved to get out of the European clothes that he had worn all day. Both had been bathed and massaged in the nearby bathhouse. \"Please eat.\"\n\nAwkwardly Tyrer used chopsticks. In Peking, the Embassy had advised against eating any Chinese foods: \"... not unless you want to get poisoned, old boy. These buggers really eat dog, drink snake's bile, spoon up insects, anything, and have an astounding but universal belief, If its back faces heaven you can eat it! Ugh!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga corrected the way to hold the sticks. \"There.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Nakama-san, very difficult.\" Tyrer laughed. \"Will fat not get eating theses.\"\n\n\"'I will not get fat eating with these,'\" Hiraga said, not yet weary of correcting Tyrer's Japanese, for he had found he enjoyed teaching him. Tyrer was an apt pupil with a remarkable memory and happy disposition—and very important for himself, a continual fountain of information.\n\n\"Ah, sorry, I won't get fat eating with these. What is, sorry, what are these foods?\"\n\n\"This is what we call tempura, fish fried in batter.\"\n\n\"So sorry, what is 'batter'?\" Tyrer listened attentively, missing many of the words but understanding the gist, just as he knew the other man would miss English words. We speak more English than Japanese, he thought wryly, but never mind. Nakama's a great teacher and we seem to have made an accommodation which is fine—without him I wouldn't be here, probably not alive, either, and would certainly never have all the face I gained with Marlowe, Pallidar and Wee Willie Winkie, let alone the invaluable intelligence he is supplying. Tyrer smiled. It pleased him to be able to think of Sir William now by his nickname when only a few days ago he had been petrified of him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, now I understand. Batter! We also use batter.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This food to your liking, Tairasan?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga asked, switching to English." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, thank you.\" Whenever he could Tyrer would answer in Japanese." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'their' precisely 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank for everything, massage, bath, now caml, sorry, now calm and happy.\"\n\nSome of the food he found exciting, tempura and yakitori, bite-sized pieces of chicken that were grilled with a sweet and salty sauce. Unagi turned out to be grilled eel with a warm sweet-sour sauce he particularly liked. Sushi, slivers of various raw fish of different colors and textures on a ball of rice he found difficult to swallow at first, but when dipped in a mysterious salty sauce called soy or soya they became palatable. After all, he thought, Father did advise me to try everything: \"My son, since you insist on this dramatic idea of becoming a Japanese interpreter, then I advise you to hurl yourself into their way of life and foods and so on—without forgetting you're an English gentleman with obligations, a duty to the Crown, the Empire and to God...\"\n\nWonder what the Old Man would say about Fujiko. She's certainly part of their way of life. Tyrer beamed suddenly and pointed with a chopstick. \"What's this?\"\n\n\"Oh, sorry, Tairasan, it's bad manners to point with the thin end of a chopstick. Please use the other end. This is wasabi.\" Before Hiraga could stop him, Tyrer had picked up the nodule of green paste and eaten it. At once his sinuses caught fire and he gasped, eyes watering, almost blinded. In time the conflagration passed, leaving him panting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My Go'd,\" Hiraga said, copying Tyrer and trying not to laugh. \"Wasabi do not eat, just put 'ritt'er—sorry, word very hard for me—just put some in the soy to make spicy.\"\n\n\"My mistake.\" Tyrer gasped, momentarily strangled. \"My God, that's lethal, worse than chili! Next time I careful.\"\n\n\"You very good for man who begin, Tairasan. And you 'rearn Japanese o'rr so quick, very good.\"\n\n\"Domo, Nakama-san, domo.\" Same with you in English. Pleased to be complimented, Tyrer concentrated on being more deft. The next morsel he tried was tako, sliced octopus tentacle. It tasted like slimy rubber even with a touch of soy and wasabi. \"This is very tasty, I like this very much.\"\n\nI'm starving, he was thinking. I'd like triples of the chicken, another bowl of rice, twenty more of the tempura prawns, and Hiraga eats like a baby." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind, I'm being entertained by a samurai, it's not a week since he helped get us out of the Yedo Legation without an international incident, not six weeks since I first met André, yet I can already talk a little Japanese, already know more about their customs than most traders who have been here since the beginning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I can keep this up I'll be gazetted as an official interpreter in a few months and in line for the official salary: Four hundred pounds a year!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hooray, or Banzai, as a Japanese would say." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the present rate of exchange I can easily afford another pony but before that...\n\nHis heart quickened.\n\nBefore that I'll buy Fujiko's contract. Nakama's promised to help so I'll have no trouble. He promised. Perhaps we'll begin tonight—thank God, Fujiko's back from visiting her grandmother. I suppose I really shouldn't on a Sunday, but never mind. Karma.\n\nHe sighed. Between André and Nakama he had discovered that word and the marvelous way it became a panacea for all happenings, good or bad, over which you had no control. \"Karma!\"\n\n\"What, Tairasan?\"\n\n\"Nothing. Food's good.\"\n\n\"Food's good,\" Hiraga mimicked him. \"Good, thank you, I p'reased.\" He called for more beer and saké." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shoji slid back and the drinks appeared on a tray carried by a merry-faced maid who beamed at Hiraga, smiled shyly at Tyrer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With hardly a thought, Hiraga caressed her rump." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How would you like it Over the Mountain?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Eeee, you naughty man! Over Mountain? Oh, no, not me, nor Under, but I might Play the Flute for a gold oban!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They both laughed at the sally—one gold oban being outrageously expensive, the fee a courtesan of the first class might charge for such a service. The maid poured the saké, filled Tyrer's mug and left.\n\n\"What she say, Nakama-san?\"\n\nHe smiled. \"So sorry, difficu't exp'rain, not words enough yet. Just joke, man-woman joke, you understand?\"\n\n\"Wakarimasu. Church today, you like?\" With Sir William's approval and the avid consent of the Reverend Michaelmas Tweet he had sneaked Hiraga up to the minstrels' gallery. Dressed in his new Western clothes, made to order by the Chinese tailor with his usual unbelievable speed, and beaver top hat, Hiraga had passed as Eurasian and was hardly noticed. Except by Jamie McFay who had winked discreetly.\n\n\"Church good, and your exp'rain too,\" Hiraga said, but inside he was still trying to sift Tyrer's information into perspective, along with the astonishing sight of all these grown men, and two revolting-looking women, singing in unison, getting up, sitting down, solemnly droning out prayers, bowing their heads to their very strange God who, after the service, Tyrer had explained was actually three people, the Father, his Son who was crucified like a common criminal, and a kami. \"So ka?\" Hiraga had said, perplexed. \"So, Tairasan, woman name Madonna who not God has son God—but she not God—and she pi'rrow with kami who not God but like hatomoto of God with wing who not husband, husband who o'rso not God, but father is, so father of her son is grandfather, neh?\"\n\n\"No, there was no pillowing. You see...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again he listened, eventually pretended to understand so he could question Taira about the enmity of the two churches, for he had noticed that Ori's woman was not present and had asked why. Two churches, equally powerful, constantly at war! And Ori wanted me to give up. Baka!\n\nAnd when, head aching from concentration, he had discovered the reason for the schism—and the resulting scale of hatred and mass killings and universal wars—he knew for certain in some areas gai-jin were totally mad, but oh-so-vulnerable: the split was only because an old bonze called 'Ruther, three hundred-odd years before, had decided on a different interpretation of some minor point of dogma that had been invented by another bonze fourteen or fifteen centuries before him. This man, clearly another lunatic, had decreed, amongst other things, that poverty was to be sought, and no pillowing with women would, after death, send you forever to somewhere called Heaven, where there was no saké, no food and no women, and you were a bird.\n\nBarbarians are beyond belief. Who could want to go to such a place? Anyone could see at once that old bonze was like any other ambitious, disgruntled fool who, after a lifetime of pretending to be chaste, just wanted to have a wife or concubine openly like any ordinary sensible bonze or person.\n\n\"Tairasan,\" he had said weakly: \"Need ba'f, massage, saké, you also, then food. Fo'rrow p'rease.\"\n\nAt first he had been worried that he had proffered the invitation. Now the village elder, the shoya, would discover he could speak English.\n\n\"Eeee, how wonderful to speak gai-jin, I wish I did, Otami-san!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "the shoya had chortled with open admiration." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"You will be protected like one of my family. For extra safety I suggest you should hire the whole restaurant and order this Taira to speak only Japanese in the bathhouse. You say he learns quickly?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"May I tell you again that I support sonno-joi, and also I have assigned the cleverest of my sons to a gai-jin bonze with orders to pretend to convert to their ridiculous beliefs so he can learn their language and their ways.\"\n\n\"You will make sure the servants are safe?\"\n\n\"You will be protected like one of my family. For extra safety I suggest you should hire the whole restaurant and order this Taira to speak only Japanese in the bathhouse. You say he learns quickly?\"\n\n\"Very.\"\n\n\"Your secrets are safe with me. Sonno-joi!\"\n\nHiraga smiled, grimly remembering the fervor with which the shoya had echoed him, believing him not at all. I wonder what he would do if he knew of our plan to burn all Yokohama. He would shit. But before even cleaning himself he would run to the Bakufu and bash his head to the earth in his haste to serve them and betray me. Baka!\n\nTyrer was still eating voraciously. Though still hungry Hiraga toyed with his food, following accepted Japanese custom and training, of disciplining oneself to be satisfied with little, there being more hungry times than abundant, to bear cold and pain with fortitude, there being more bad days than good, more cold than warmth so best be prepared. Less is better than more. Except for saké. And fornication. He smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Saké! Tairasan, kampai!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "This flask was soon gone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He pressed Tyrer to drink, pretending it was an important Japanese custom to toast each other." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 3 instance(s) of the word 'because'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Soon Tyrer was happily telling about gai-jin wars, the extent of the British Empire, about the goods they manufactured and the amounts thereof. Because of Tyrer's sincerity—possible sincerity—and his \"I swear it's the God's truth! \"—he decided to accept the information, however frightening or preposterous until proven false. An hour's study of Tyrer's school atlas and maps had truly shocked him.\n\n\"But, p'rease, how can so 'ritter country 'rike Ing'rand ru're so many?\"\n\n\"Lots of reasons,\" Tyrer said, warm and loose and pleased with himself, and, forgetting for a moment to use simple words and ideas, he went on guilelessly, \"lots of reasons, because of our superior education—superior learning, you understand?—a superior heritage, a wise and benevolent Queen and our unique and special form of government, our Parliament, which has given us superior laws and freedoms. At the same time we're blessed, we're an island fortress, the sea protects us, our fleets control the sea-lanes for trade so we've been able to develop better skills in peace and quiet, to invent and experiment, we trade more therefore we've more capital, Nakama-san, more money than anyone else... and we're very clever at 'divide and rule'—that's an old Roman law...\" He laughed and finished the flask. \"And, most important of all, I've told you before, we've twice the number of cannon, ships and fire power than the next two countries—half the world's ships are British, with British crews and British gunners.\"\n\nSo many words and ideas I don't understand, Hiraga thought, his head reeling. Romans? Who are they?\n\nIf half of what Taira says is true, no, a hundredth part, then it will take decades to catch up with them. Yes, he thought, but in time we will catch them. We are an island too. Better than them this is Land of the Gods, man for man we are tougher, stronger, better fighters, we've discipline and more courage and, most of all we must win eventually because we're not afraid to die!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eeee, even today I can see ways to twist them that I could not have conceived a few days ago. \"Honto,\" he muttered.\n\n\"'Honto,' Nakama-san? The truth? What's true?\"\n\n\"Just think about what you say. So much truth. P'rease, you say ear'rier... Kampai!\"\n\n\"Kampai! It time visit Yoshiwara, neh?\" Tyrer stifled a contented yawn, weary of questions, but feeling grand.\n\n\"I not forget, Tairasan.\" Hiraga hid a smile. He had already arranged that Fujiko would not be available this evening. \"Finish saké, last question, then go. P'rease, you say ear'rier about machines making machines? How is possib're?\"\n\nTyrer launched into another enthusiastic answer, saying the British were leaders in what was called the Industrial Revolution: \"The steam engine, railways, steel and iron ships, spinning Jenny, seed planters, mass production, harvesters, are all our inventions, sixty-pounders, submersibles, anesthetics, new medicines, navigation—four years ago we laid the first telegraph wire across the Atlantic, a thousand leagues or more,\" he said grandly, deciding not to mention the cable had burnt out within a month and, soon, another had to be laid in its place. \"We've invented electric generators, gas lighting...\"\n\nSoon Hiraga was giddy from the effort of concentration, and his desperate wish to understand everything when he understood almost nothing, but also because he could not comprehend why an official as important as Taira would answer any question an enemy would ask, for of course we are enemies." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must learn English more quickly, I must. I will.\n\nA gentle tap on the door and the shoji slid back. \"Please excuse me, Otami-san,\" the maid said, \"but the shoya begs a moment of your time.\"\n\nHiraga nodded briefly, told Tyrer he would return in a moment and followed the maid out into the alley that was empty and then into the busy street. The few pedestrians who appeared to notice him bowed politely as to a merchant and not to a samurai as the shoya had ordered. Good.\n\nThe shoya was waiting in an inner room, kneeling behind the table, his arm resting comfortably on an armrest. A cat was curled beside him. He bowed. \"So sorry to disturb you, Otami-san, but in case this gai-jin understands our language better than he pretends, I thought it best to speak here.\"\n\nHiraga frowned, sat on his heels and bowed back, all attention. \"Yes, Ryoshi-san?\"\n\n\"There are several matters you should know, Otami-sama.\" The strong-faced man poured green tea into little cups from the miniature iron teapot. The tea was superb, as rare as the eggshell cups, aromatic and delicate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga's foreboding increased. The shoya sipped again then took a scroll from his sleeve and spread it out. It was another copy of the woodcut poster: The Bakufu offers two koku reward for this murdering revolutionary of many aliases, one of which is Hiraga...\n\nHiraga picked it up, pretending this was the first time he had seen it. Noncommittally he grunted and handed it back.\n\nThe older man put the edge to the candle flame. Both watched as the paper curled and became ash, both knowing that with his new haircut and rapidly thickening stubble Hiraga's disguise was very good. \"The Bakufu become fiends in pursuit of our brave shishi.\"\n\nHiraga nodded but said nothing, waiting.\n\nAbsently the shoya stroked the cat and it purred softly. \"It is said Lord Yoshi is sending an emissary to negotiate with the chief gai-jin for guns. No doubt a Lord of his high rank would offer higher prices than—than Choshu emissaries.\" He added delicately, \"Gai-jin will sell to the highest bidder.\"\n\nHiraga had heard about the Choshu samurai visiting the Noble House from Raiko—almost everyone in the Yoshiwara was aware of the negotiations—and he was sure if he knew their real names he would certainly know the men personally or their families." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only a year or so ago a stepbrother, who also had gone to the same English school in Shimonoseki, had been one of the team sent to buy the first hundred guns. Curious, Hiraga thought, that it should be to the same company owned by this tai-pan who will soon be dead, both he and his woman and this whole cesspit of evil. \"Gai-jin have no honor.\"\n\n\"Disgusting.\" Another sip of tea. \"In Yedo Castle there is much activity. They say the Shōgun and the Imperial Princess plan to leave for Kyōto in a week or two.\"\n\n\"Why should they do that?\" Hiraga asked, pretending uninterest that fooled neither of them.\n\nThe older man chuckled. \"I do not know, Otami-san, but it is very curious that the Shōgun should leave his lair now to travel many dangerous miles to visit the lair of many enemies when, since the beginning, he has always sent a flunky.\" The cat stretched and he tickled her stomach, adding thoughtfully, \"The roju are increasing taxes in all Toranaga lands to pay for any amounts of cannon and weapons that can be bought—except by Satsuma, Tosa and Choshu.\"\n\nHiraga sensed the shoya's underlying anger, though none showed, or his own amusement: What are peasants and merchants for if not to pay taxes? \"Unless the Son of Heaven can use his Heaven-granted power, the Bakufu will plunge Nippon into eternal civil war again.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I agree.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 9 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga was thinking, I wonder how much you really agree, old man. He put that aside to ponder how to push the Bakufu and Toranaga Yoshi from their course. Akimoto should go at once to Yedo and the House of Wisteria, we haven't heard from Koiko or her mama-san for days—perhaps we should go togeth—\n\n\"Last, it seems your shishi friend, Ori-san, did not leave for Kyōto as planned,\" the shoya said conversationally.\n\nHiraga's eyes went flat, almost reptilian. The shoya suppressed a shudder. Instantly aware, the cat was erect in one smooth movement, watching warily. Hiraga broke the silence. \"Where is he?\"\n\n\"In that part of the Settlement where the low-class gai-jin live, drink and fornicate.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Near midnight André Poncin knocked on the door of the House of the Three Carp." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'criminals' precisely 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once the doorkeeper admitted him. Raiko welcomed him and soon they were drinking saké, discussing the latest news of the Yoshiwara and Settlement—she was a source of much intelligence for him as he was for her—in their usual mixture of Japanese and English.\n\n\"... and the Enforcer Patrol searched every House, Furansu-san! As though we would hide criminals! It is against Yoshiwara rules. We know how to keep our rice bowls full: by promoting peace and avoiding trouble. Enforcers are still at the main gate, glowering at every passerby.\" Raiko fanned herself remembering her narrow escape and wished that she had never invited shishi to favor her House. It's time they all went elsewhere, she thought, Enforcers and shishi, however much I like Hiraga. \"I wish they would go away.\"\n\n\"What criminals look for?\" André asked." }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"Bakufu? Can Bakufu be throw out? Revolution?\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Traitors, ronin usually. But anyone who is against them is a traitor. Ronin, they are their usual prey.\"\n\n\"Bakufu? Can Bakufu be throw out? Revolution?\"\n\nShe laughed softly and emptied the flask and began another. \"The Bakufu are like lice in a prison—you destroy a thousand and only make room for a hundred thousand more. No, the Bakufu and Shōgunate are Nippon and with us forever.\"\n\n\"Tonight Tairasan here?\"\n\nShe shook her head. \"The girl he wanted was not available, I offered another but he refused and left. Curious, neh,? A curious young man in many ways, though possibly a good customer. Thank you for introducing him to my poor House.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage target: 'never' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This Japanese Sensei, teacher, samurai Taira has find—who is he, Raiko?\"\n\n\"I don't know, so sorry, but I've heard he's a Yedo-man and lives in the Settlement, in the village.\"\n\n\"Tairasan, he talk Fujiko about him?\"\n\n\"She never mentioned it, but then I did not ask her. Next time, perhaps by next time I will know, Furansu-san.\"\n\nAndré did not believe her, but never mind, he thought, when she's ready she'll tell me. \"The medicine. It arranged?\"\n\n\"Of course, whatever I can do to help a favored client is my purpose in life.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He took out the pair of pearl earrings and laid them on the table. Her eyes glittered. She made no move to pick them up but he was sure she had instantly weighed them mentally, deciding on their quality, cost and resale value. \"I asked to give these as present,\" he said pleasantly, and she smiled prettily, pretending to be overwhelmed though already aware payment would be in jewelry which could not be offered for sale in Yokohama. Her fingers trembled as she reached for them. He forestalled her, picking them up and pretending to examine them closely.\n\nHis plan for Angelique had worked perfectly. Servants from the Noble House had scoured the streets to no avail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her anxiety and tears had been genuine, and she had whispered privately: \"Oh, André, did I do the correct thing? Malcolm was really very upset—I had no idea they were so expensive.\"\n\n\"But he told you just to sign for whatever you wanted, didn't he? Not your fault that you didn't ask the price—he liked his cuff links, didn't he?\"\n\n\"Yes, but André...\"\n\n\"There will be enough left over in case it's needed—a credit against any eventuality, Angelique.\"\n\nAndré smiled to himself and turned his full attention to Raiko. \"Value many times cost of medicine.\"\n\n\"The buying price, certainly. But I must send them to the Yedo or Nagasaki Yoshiwara. A difficult sale, but please do not worry, I will help you to be rid of an unwanted child.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not mine,\" he said sharply." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry, please excuse me,\" she said, believing him. Good, I was afraid it was his, she told herself, greatly relieved. I want no more complications with this man. \"It is not my business.\"\n\n\"Just help for friend of friend. In Drunk Town.\"\n\n\"Please excuse me, so sorry.\"\n\nHe smiled without humor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know pearl. This value fifty times cost of medicine.\"\n\nShe kept her smile in place and her voice cooing but inside she was gnashing her teeth. \"I will have them valued. Of course they are worth more than the cost of the medicine.\"\n\n\"Of course.\" He held his palm flat and she took them. The pearls were almost black, Sea Island pearls. She touched them to her teeth to feel if they were cold and carefully bit on them but they did not mar. Satisfied now that they were genuine and rich, she said lovingly, \"The price, old friend?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Price is: all medicine, even if first time fail. What necessary if drink fail, understand? What need... whatever need to stop child. Yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" she agreed happily, knowing this to be a marvelous bargain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A guaranteed... elimination, termination.\"\n\n\"Plus twenty gold oban,\" he added, and was delighted to see her face twist with real horror though this was less than a third of what she would squeeze from the sale—the setting was of little value but he had made sure the Chinese jeweler only used the finest pearls. She groaned and cursed and they bargained back and forth, both enjoying the encounter, both knowing that the real cost of the medicine and medical advice was hardly significant to a brothel mama-san. Soon they were close to making a deal and then, of a sudden, her mood changed and she stared at him strangely, liking him, so sad for him, and thought: Should I interfere with karma?\n\n\"What?\" he asked suspiciously.\n\n\"Let me think a moment, Furansu-san.\"\n\nLater, in an entirely different voice, warm and soft as in the old days when he had been her first customer and had lavishly wined and dined the whole House to celebrate their opening, she said, \"Since we met, much water has flowed under many bridges, lots of good times and laughter in our Floating World and, as it is in this life, also sadness and a lake of tears, not of my choosing. Suddenly I remembered the last time we bargained like this was over Hana's contract.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His face settled into a mask." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not talk about Hana.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry, I would like to, please, because I may have a solution to her.\"\n\n\"There none,\" he said angrily. \"No cure, Hana dead, Hana nothing do with pearls!\"\n\n\"True. Please be calm and listen. Perhaps,\" she said gently, \"perhaps I could find another Hana, similar, but one who already has the Chinese disease.\"\n\n\"Not possible,\" he burst out, shocked. \"Disease very bad, very bad, ugly.\"\n\n\"Yes, near the end,\" she said patiently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Many times nothing shows for years. You are not yet ugly, nothing shows with you, Furansu-san—it may be years before that happens. It depends on your karma. I should seek such a one?\"\n\nHe started to speak, stopped and shook his head.\n\n\"Listen, if I could find new Hana, and then if...\"\n\n\"Not possible!\"\n\n\"... if you approve her, and she approves you, you could be together until—until you decide...\" Raiko shrugged. \"Never mind the future, today is today and that is the rule of our Floating World. You would keep the girl here, I would build you a new house, the other naturally we destroyed, you treat her like Hana in every way, same contract price, same monthly money for clothes and lodging, and she is for you only.\"\n\nHer eyes bored into him and he knew she could see into his soul, see him writhing with a frantic, sudden hope and craving to accept that which would release him from torment—the news of his karma had travelled with the speed of light, now every House barred to him, politely—oh so politely—but still barred for pillowing, only Drunk Town possible—yet be a never-ending Damocles sword over him forever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And even worse, there was no lessening of his sexual urge but a heightening, a greater obsession to pillow than before, one that had already driven him to the insanity of two nights ago with Angelique, not that he did not still desire her, he did, more than ever, and knew without a release he would try again and would not fail next time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Blessed Mother, help me, he thought, near tears, I do not want to infect her too.\n\n\"There is another possibility,\" Raiko was saying, her gaze curious. \"We can discuss that later. Now Hana.\"\n\n\"Not-talk-about-Hana!\"\n\n\"I have to, Furansu-san. Now. You wanted to know how she died, neh?\" Raiko saw his eyes focus and his breathing almost stop. \"After you ran out into the night and she, weeping, told me the reason, I was as shocked as you and ordered her out of the House and cursed her even though she was like my own daughter. Of course you were right and you should have killed her not just hit her before you left, you are right and of course her mama-san should have told me, and she should have told me the mom—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Speak, speak slow... more slow.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please excuse me but it is very hard slowly, but she should have told me the moment she knew. I was furious and left her to try to catch up with you but failed. Then one of the maids... it was Mieko. Mieko rushed in to say that Hana had tried to hara-kiri...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raiko was perspiring now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was by no means the first attempted suicide she had been involved in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There had been dozens during her years as apprentice, courtesan and mama-san—she had even been born in the Willow World, her mother a specialist courtesan of the second rank." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Many suicides were successful, few by the knife, most by poison or drowning, some dual suicides between lovers, the man always impoverished, even samurai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Hana's had been the worst.\n\nWhen she had rushed into the room she found the girl in agony, weeping and helpless, her neck slashed several times but no artery or vein severed and the windpipe only nicked. A little air bubbled from the cut that bled badly but not badly enough. She was crumpled on the futons, knife nearby, but her hand could not grip it and each time she tried to lift it it would slip from her grasp, all the time weeping and choking and retching, begging forgiveness and crying out, Help me... help me... help me...\n\n\"She was beyond all wish for life, Furansu-san,\" Raiko said sadly. \"I've seen too many not to know. If she had lived through that attempt she would have tried again and again, without ceasing. In this world, surely in ours, there does come a time when it is good and wise to go beyond. We put animals out of misery—it is right to give the same relief to a person. So we helped her. We calmed her and cleaned her and sat her up and she had time to say, Namu Amida Butsu, then I held the knife to her throat and peacefully Hana fell on it. That is how she died.\"\n\n\"You... you kill... part... part kill her?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It was my duty as her mama-san,\" Raiko said simply. Again she hesitated, sighing. No need for more tears. Those had been shed long since. I have none left. How many times when I was her age, hating my life and the way I had to earn my rice, did I not contemplate the same escape, even once cutting my wrists, to be succored and saved by my mama-san who, when I was well, beat me unmercifully. But she was right, my mama-san, as I was right, because she knew I was not serious as Hana was serious, and now I cannot even remember the face of the boy she had forbidden me, only that he was a poet." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to seamlessly include 'Before she died Hana asked me to apologize again for her to you. To beg your forgiveness for her.' in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Before she died Hana asked me to apologize again for her to you. To beg your forgiveness for her.\"\n\n\"You... do you... forgive—forgive?\"\n\nWhat a strange question, she thought, startled. \"That Hana was like last year's cherry blossom scattered by the wind, no need to forgive or not to forgive. Just a petal of the Willow World. She existed but did not. You understand?\"\n\nIn turmoil he nodded, not comprehending all the words, but understanding what she had done and why. He hated her and blessed her, was relieved and sad and suicidal and filled with hope. \"Three men, three who before me. Who?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I do not know, so sorry, except they were Japanese. Truly,\" she told him, her eyes clean, the names buried in her most secret heart, waiting to use if necessary, for or against the Bakufu. \"About these,\" she opened her hand. The pearls glowed in the oil light, enticingly. \"Let us agree that I give you one third of whatever I get from the sale, plus all medicines and whatever else is necessary. A third would be...\" She stopped as friend in Drunk Town fell into place.\n\nThe medicine is for the woman who is to marry the tai-pan, she told herself excitedly. Wasn't it she who was supposed to have lost some jewelry yesterday that I thought nothing of. It must be her, the pearls confirm it... and if it's her, eeee, the abortion must be without his approval or knowledge or surely Jami-san would be the intermediary, not Furansu-san." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A third would be fair,\" she said, and was going to add smugly, to the young gai-jin woman who is to marry the tai-pan, but seeing Furansu-san staring gloomily into his cup, decided there was no need yet to divulge she had deduced the \"who.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eeee, tonight has been most profitable, she thought gleefully. Knowledge of a secret abortion by such an important lady to bury, or to tell, could be extremely valuable, to the lady herself, before or after she marries, or to this tai-pan who is as rich as Adachi of Mito, before or after he marries, or even to one of his many enemies.\n\nNext: through Hiraga I have this Taira firmly stuck to Fujiko's Jade Gate—what is it about the girl that attracts Round Eyes to her? And last but not least, the solution to Furansu-san, my precious gai-jin spy, presented herself.\n\nRaiko wanted to shout with joy but, carefully, she retained her most modest, sincere look. \"A third? Furansu-san?\"\n\nBleakly he looked up at her, nodded his agreement.\n\n\"You have told the lady there is a risk?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What risk? Raiko say medicine good most times.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is, most times. But if the drink does not succeed, we... let us not worry about that now. Let us hope Buddha smiles on her and it is her karma to have an easy release, then to enjoy the good things in life.\" She looked at him steadily. \"And you also. Neh?\"\n\nHe stared back at her." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dearest Colette: The weeks have rushed by, and tomorrow is my special day, Angelique wrote, aglow with expectation, I feel so good I can hardly believe it. I sleep marvelously my cheeks are rosy, everyone compliments me and my figure is better than ever... No signs, nothing, she thought. Nothing. Breasts a little tender but that's just imagination—and tomorrow all will be over.\n\nShe was sitting at the bureau in her suite facing the bay, the tip of her tongue between her lips, far too cautious to write anything that could possibly compromise her. What a lucky omen it's his day for my new beginning.\n\nTomorrow is St. Theodore's day, he's my new patron saint. You see, Colette, by marriage I become British, (not English, because Malcolm is Scots and part English) and St. Theodore is one of their oh-so-few saints. He became British too (he was a Greek) twelve hundred years ago and rose to be Archbishop of Canterbury...\n\nHer steel-tipped pen hesitated as that name brought phantoms from the mists but she would not acknowledge them and they sank back into the depths again.\n\n... that means he was like the pope-of the British Isles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He reformed the Church, cast out evildoers and heathen practices, was oh-so-holy and kind, particularly to women, lived to be an astonishing eighty-eight and altogether a wonderful man of the True Church." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm celebrating by having a special fast day, then in three days a party!\n\nFather Leo told me about him. Ugh! I really don't like him, stinky as he is (I have to use a pomander handkerchief in the confessional—he would make you faint, dear Colette). Last Sunday I had the vapors and will certainly miss this Sunday too. Do you remember how we used to do that when we were at school, though how we avoided a scolding I'll never know.\n\nThoughts of Colette and school and Paris distracted her for a moment and she stared out of the window at the ocean, slate grey and stormy with a sharp wind creating seahorses that ran ashore to woosh up the beach a hundred yards away, the other side of the promenade—merchantmen at anchor, bum boats loading or unloading, the only warship, the frigate Pearl, resplendent with her new mast and new paint steaming for her mooring, just back from Yedo.\n\nBut Angelique did not really see any of it, her eyes beguiled by the rosy future her mind was promising. Here, in her suite, it was warm and calm with no drafts, the windows well fitting, a fire blazing in the fireplace, with Malcolm Struan dozing comfortably in a tall red velvet chair, papers, letters and invoices in his lap and scattered about his feet. The connecting door was open. Her door to the corridor unlocked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was their new custom." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Safer, both had agreed, plenty of time in the future to be private.\n\nSome days he would arrive early and conduct his business from her boudoir until noon when he would doze a few minutes until lunch; sometimes he would stay in his own suite and some days he would hobble downstairs to the offices below. He would always say she was always welcome there but she knew that was only a politeness. Downstairs was masculine domain. She was delighted he was working—McFay had told her that since \"the tai-pan has taken charge, everyone's more diligent, we've big plans hatching and our company's humming...\"\n\nAnd so was she. No fear for the morrow. On the contrary, she was looking forward to seeing André in the evening at the Legation. Together they had hatched an excuse and she would move back there tomorrow for three days while her rooms were repainted, and new curtains made for the windows and four-poster that she had chosen from silks in their warehouse:\n\n\"But, Angel,\" Struan had said, \"we're only here for a few more weeks, the expense really isn't—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A laugh and a kiss had changed his mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "La, I begin to love him and adore the game of getting my own way.\n\nShe smiled and began to write again:\n\nColette darling, I've more energy than I've ever had. Riding every day—no excursions, which makes the Settlement restricting—but lots of galloping around the racecourse with Phillip Tyrer, Settry (Pallidar), who's the best rider I've ever seen, sometimes with French and English cavalry officers, and not forgetting poor Marlowe, who is turning out to be the most dear man but not, I'm afraid, a horseman. They all left three days ago to go to Yedo where Sir William and the Ministers are having THE MEETING with the native Cabinet and their king called Shōgun.\n\nMalcolm is getting better but oh, so slowly, he still walks badly but is wonderful—except on mail days (twice monthly) when he's furious with everything and everyone, even me. It's only because there are always letters from his mother (I begin to hate her) who complains bitterly that he stays here and doesn't return to Hong Kong. Three days ago was worse than usual. One of the Noble House clippers arrived, this time with another letter and a verbal summons delivered by the Captain who said: \"I'd appreciate it, sir, if you could come aboard the moment we've unloaded the special cargo—our orders are to escort you and Dr. Hoag to Hong Kong right smartly...\"\n\nI've never heard such language, Colette!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought poor Malcolm would have apoplexy. The Captain crumpled and fled. Again I implored Malcolm to let us do what she wants but... he just growled, \"We'll go when I decide to go, by God. Don't mention it again!\" Yokohama is VERY tedious, and I'd really like to return to Hong Kong and civilization.\n\nTo pass the time I have been reading everything I can lay my hands on (newspapers, apart from fashion and Paris life, are really quite interesting I was surprised to find, and they make me realize what a scatterbrain I am).\n\nBut I must prepare for all the soirees I must give for my husband, to entertain his important guests—as well as their wives. So I intend to learn about trade, opium and tea and cotton and silkworms... But one has to be so careful. The first time I tried to talk about an article relating to the awful state of the French silk industry (which is why Japanner silkworms are so valuable) Malcolm said, \"Don't you worry your pretty head about that, Angel...\" I could get NOT one word in even sideways, in fact he was quite irritable when I said Struan's could start a silk factory in France...\n\nOh, dearest Colette, I wish you were here, then I could pour my heart out to you—I miss you miss you miss you..." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Remember to mention: \"Missee, tiffin, you wan' here or downstai', heya?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The steel nib, set into a bone handle, began blotching. Carefully she dried it and cleaned the tip, marvelling that it was so easy, the nib again as good as new. Up to a few years ago the quill pen was commonplace and she would have had to find the special quill knife and cut a new point, splitting it to last but a page or two, whereas these Mitchell pens, mass-produced in Birmingham, would last for days and came in many sizes to please your fancy and your writing.\n\nBehind her, Struan stirred but did not awaken. Asleep he has a tidy face, she thought. Neat and strong...\n\nThe door opened and Ah Soh barged in. \"Missee, tiffin, you wan' here or downstai', heya?\"\n\nStruan had awoken at once. \"Your mistress will eat here,\" he said brusquely in Cantonese. \"I'll dine downstairs, in our main dining room, and tell the cook the food had better be exceptional.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, Tai-pan.\" Ah Soh hurried off." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Weave this into your narrative: \"Just that you'd lunch here—I'll be downstairs. I've invited Dmitri, Jamie and Norbert.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What did you tell her, Malcolm?\"\n\n\"Just that you'd lunch here—I'll be downstairs. I've invited Dmitri, Jamie and Norbert.\" He looked at her silhouetted against the light. \"You look splendid.\"\n\n\"Thank you. Can I join you? I'd prefer that.\"\n\n\"Sorry, we've business to discuss.\"\n\nWith a great effort he heaved himself upright and she gave him his two walking sticks. Before he took them he put his arms around her and she allowed her body to sink against him, hiding her anger that she would be cooped up again—nowhere to go, nothing to do, except to write some more or read some more and to wait. Boring boring boring." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lun Two cut the first of the large deep-dish apple pies into quarters, slid them onto fine pewter plates, poured thick cream generously and served the four men.\n\n\"God Almighty, where the devil did you get it?\" Norbert Greyforth asked, and Dmitri said over him with equal awe, \"I'll be goddamned.\"\n\n\"The cream?\" McFay belched. \"Pardon. Compliments of the tai-pan.\"\n\nDmitri spooned a mouthful. \"Last time I had cream was in Hong Kong, six months ago, goddam this's good. This a new Noble House exclusive?\"\n\nMalcolm smiled. \"Our last clipper, a few days ago, sneaked in three cows. We unloaded them at night and with the help of the army quartermaster we've had them hidden amongst the horses—didn't want them hijacked or the Jappo Customs asking questions. Day and night guard now.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He could not contain his pleasure at the effect of the cream after a lavish amount of beef, roast potatoes and fresh vegetables, local pheasant pie, French and English cheeses—with beer, Château Haut-Brion '46, a fine Chablis and port. \"We're going to start a herd if they acclimatize here, and a dairy farm—as a subsidiary of our Hong Kong dairy farm—it was Jamie's idea originally, and of course the produce will be available to anyone.\"\n\n\"At the usual 'Noble' prices?\" Norbert said sarcastically, plainly irritated he had had no forewarning of this new Struan endeavor.\n\n\"At a profit—but a reasonable one,\" Struan said. He had ordered the cows to be rushed from Hong Kong the moment he arrived here. \"More, Dmitri?\"\n\n\"Thanks, great pie, Malc!\"\n\n\"How's the word from home?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie asked, to break the tension between Struan and Norbert Greyforth.\n\n\"Lousy. Terrible. Both sides are mixing it and with rifles and long-range artillery—shit, the killings are the worst ever, afraid the New World's crazy.\"\n\n\"The whole world's crazy, old friend,\" Norbert said. \"But war's good business, that's a fact, for the lucky ones,\" then added, just to rile Struan, \"Brock's have all the Hawaiian sugar you'll need, at reasonable prices.\"\n\n\"It'd be a change for anything to be reasonable,\" Dmitri said lightly. He knew all about the huge losses Struan's was going to sustain because of Tyler and Morgan Brock's coup, but shrugged to himself. I'm not in their war, I've my own to worry about. Dear God in Heaven, how will it end?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"War's never good for the people. Goddam, the cost's going to be huge—you hear that Lincoln's just got his goddam income tax through Congress to pay for the war?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the other spoons hesitated. \"What's the rate?\"\n\n\"Three cents on the dollar,\" he said disgustedly, and they all laughed.\n\n\"You're sure?\"\n\n\"I just heard today by a special off the Calif Belle.\"\n\n\"Three percent? You're bloody lucky, Dmitri,\" Jamie said, his plate almost empty. \"I expected fifteen.\"\n\n\"You crazy? There'd've been a revolution.\"\n\n\"You're already in one. Anyway, three percent is the same as us, but yours is only for three years, that's... wait a minute,\" Jamie said, raising his voice, \"that's what Lincoln promised, swore it was only for three years according to the last 'Frisco Chronicle, if Congress passed it. Three years.\"\n\n\"True, but you know goddam politicians, Jamie, once they get a tax through Congress, or Parliament, they'll never take it off. Goddam Congress, shysters, all of them. Three percent's only the beginning.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You're right there,\" Norbert began, equally sourly, then to Lun, \"Yes, I'll have another slice, and a good dollop of cream. You're right about bloody taxes! Bloody Pitt, he's the bugger who first invented income tax and he promised the same and reneged like Lincoln will. Politicians are liars all over but Robert Peel should have been horsewhipped.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Robert Peel, the same guy who started a police force, the Peelers?\" Dmitri asked, and took another spoon of cream.\n\n\"Yes, that's him. The Peelers were a good idea—though it wasn't his idea alone, and we could use some here, no doubt about that, but income tax? Monstrous!\"\n\nMalcolm said, \"Peel was a good Prime Minister. He—\"\n\nNorbert deliberately overrode him. \"We only had that damned tax for two short periods during the Napoleon Wars, fair enough, but then it was repealed forever in '15, directly after Waterloo, forever, by God, but didn't piss-arsed Peel bring it back in '41 at seven pence in the pound, three percent like Jamie said? And only for three years. Didn't he renege, and all the other buggers who followed him? It'll go on forever and twenty guineas to a bent farthing Lincoln'll renege too. You're stuck, Dmitri old lad. We are too, because of Peel. Stupid bastard,\" he added deliberately to irritate Struan even though privately he agreed with his assessment of Peel overall.\n\nStruan's good humor was evaporating fast. \"Brandy, Lun, then close door!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lun Two poured generous snifters and left with the other four liveried servants." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Norbert belched. \"Cream was good, young Malcolm. Now, to what do we owe the pleasure of such a feast?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The mood at the big table changed. Deepened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What concerns all traders. Sir William and us being excluded from the Shōgun and Bakufu meeting.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I agree the bugger should be axed. Never heard anything like it in my life!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" Struan said. \"At the very least we should have had a representative there.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Agreed,\" Dmitri said grimly, most of his mind on home. One brother already dead. Food riots nearby. \"Our guy's nice enough but he's Yankee. I suggested he appoint me Deputy but he shat on that idea. What do you have in mind, Malc?\"\n\n\"A joint deputation to make sure it won't happen again, an immediate complaint to the Governor an—\"\n\n\"Stanshope's a berk,\" Norbert said and smiled thinly. \"But he will do what your mama wants.\"\n\n\"He's not our puppet, if that's what you imply,\" Struan said, his eyes as cold as his voice.\n\nDmitri said, \"Puppet or not, will he fire Wee Willie?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No,\" Struan said. \"That has to come from London. My idea is if William won't agree that we're to be part of any negotiations in the future, then we advise Stanshope to make it policy—he can certainly do that, after all it's we who pay taxes, it's we who negotiate with the Chinese, why not here? Jointly we could accomplish that. Norbert?\"\n\n\"That bugger will agree to anything for a simple life and it won't do a bit of good.\" His face tightened. \"William's not our whole problem. It's the Admiral. We need a new Admiral. That's more important than shoving William aside. It's him who won't bombard the bastards like he should. It's him, not William—any fool can see that.\" Norbert finished his brandy and refilled his glass as he continued, pretending not to notice how his barb had rocked Struan and irritated McFay. \"Again my compliments on the cream, but the brandy's not up to scratch. May I send you a barrel of our Napoleon?\"\n\nWith an effort Struan kept his temper. \"Why not? Perhaps it's better. Is your solution to our problem better?\"\n\n\"My solution's well known,\" Norbert said harshly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Demand they hand over Canterbury's murderers and the indemnity and if no action, three days later flatten Yedo. How many times do I have to say it? But the idiots we've got here won't take normal reprisals, which's the only action natives understand—any enemy, for that matter. And until the Navy act proper, every bloody one of us here is at risk, by God!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The silence grew. McFay kept his thoughts off his face, concerned that Struan let himself be at loggerheads with this much older and more experienced man, and saddened that Norbert's reply had not been part of Struan's opening salvo, and disgusted that he had been kept unaware of the real reason for the meeting so had not had an opportunity to give some advice beforehand. \"Be that as it may, Norbert, you agree that you, Dmitri and the tai-pan, representing the majority, should see Wee Willie as soon as he returns?\"\n\n\"It's all right to see him, but it will mean nothing.\" Norbert drank more brandy, feeling better for the confrontation. \"I know what Mr. Brock, a real tai-pan, and Sir Morgan would say: Tyler Brock would say, with a lot of blunt Anglo-Saxon, that the Admiral's the bleeder in the woodpile, William's an arrogant little bastard who won't change, that he'll see Stanshope personally who's an equal fool, and by the first post he'll write to our friendly Members of Parliament to raise holy hell.\" While he spoke, he lit a cheroot and said through the smoke, his voice sneering, \"And he'll add, even though our friends are more powerful than yours and will do more than yours, meanwhile it's a bagful of fart because that'll take five or six months, so he'd say, 'Get thy arse out of thy godrotting chair, thee's responsible, by God, thee's to solve thy problem or I'll be coming to the Japans and break heads.'\"\n\nStruan felt the wave of anger, and wash of latent fear, that always occurred hearing Tyler Brock's name, or when he read about him in the papers or saw him on the streets of Hong Kong or at the races. \"Then what's the answer?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't have one. If I had I would already have done it, by God.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'struan' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Norbert belched rudely. \"Like your secret Jappo and his mining concessions you'll never get.\"\n\nStruan and McFay gaped at him.\n\nTwo weeks ago Vargas had excitedly whispered that he had been approached by one of their silk suppliers, acting as an intermediary for a Lord Ota, who wanted to meet the tai-pan secretly \"to discuss granting Struan's an exclusive gold-mining concession in his domain that included most of the Kwanto, the area covering most of the plains and mountains around Yedo—the concession in return for trade: armaments.\"\n\n\"Perfect,\" Struan had said. \"If this is bona fide it could be a major breakthrough for us! Eh, Jamie?\"\n\n\"If it's real, absolutely!\"\n\n\"Here, look, here's their authority.\" Vargas showed them the sheet of fine-quality rice paper covered with columns of Chinese-style characters and sealed elaborately." }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"Why? And why Kanagawa? Why not here?\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This seal is Lord Ota's, and this the seal of one of the roju, Lord Yoshi. There are two conditions: that the meeting is to take place in Kanagawa, and that everything is kept secret from the Bakufu.\"\n\n\"Why? And why Kanagawa? Why not here?\"\n\n\"They just said that is where they have to meet, though they did say they would come by night to the Kanagawa Legation. The meeting could take place there.\"\n\n\"It could be a trap, Tai-pan,\" Jamie said. \"Don't forget Legation Lun was murdered there, and those assassins...\"\n\nMalcolm's excitement shriveled, being reminded. But he put that away. \"There are soldiers there to protect us.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Vargas said, \"They guaranteed their officials would be unarmed, stressing only the need for secrecy, senhor.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's too risky for you, Tai-pan,\" Jamie said. \"I'll go with Vargas, who can interpret.\"\n\n\"Sorry, Senhor McFay,\" Vargas said, \"but they want to talk to the tai-pan personally. It seems there's no need for an interpreter—they would supply one who could speak English.\"\n\n\"It's too dangerous, Tai-pan.\"\n\n\"Yes, but too good an opportunity to miss, Jamie, nothing like this has ever been offered to any one of us. If we can make such a deal, in secret all the better, we'll have made a giant step forward. What are the terms, Vargas?\"\n\n\"They did not say, Tai-pan.\"\n\n\"Never mind. Accept their invitation and we'll meet as soon as possible. One condition: I also bring Mr. McFay. Jamie, we'll go by boat, arrange a palanquin for me at Kanagawa.\"\n\nThe meeting had been quick and untoward direct." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two samurai. One, calling himself Watanabe, spoke a mixture of English and American slang, his accent American: \"Lord Ota wants two prospectors. Experts. They kin go anywheres in his lands—wiv guides. No arms. He guarantees safe conduct, gives 'em good dry lodgings, food, wiv all the saké they kin drink and women to spare. One-year contract. You's to keep half the gold they finds, you's to supply free all mining gear and overseers for to train his men if they makes a strike. You's to handle sales. If successful, he renews second year and third, and more—if Noble House plays fair. Agreed?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'rifles' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They're to prospect only for gold?\"\n\n\"Of course gold. Lord Ota says he has one small mine, maybe more nearby, eh? You's to handle sales. Men must be good, must've been to Californi or Australi fields. Agreed?\"\n\n\"Agreed. It will take time to find the men.\"\n\n\"How long?\"\n\n\"Two weeks if there are any in the Settlement—six months if we have to bring them from Australia or America.\"\n\n\"Sooner the better. Next: how many rifles you's for sale in here right now?\"\n\n\"Five.\"\n\n\"Lord Ota buys 'em, and all the Choshu rifles you's agreed, when they arrives. Same price.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Those are already promised. We can supply others.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Lord Ota wants them Choshu rifles—he wants 'em. He pays same price. All Choshu guns, unnerstand? And all others you kin get. You sell to him only in Nippon, him only, unnerstand? Same wiv cannon and ships—all you kin get. He pays in gold. More you finds, more is yourn.\"\n\nNeither Malcolm Struan nor McFay could shift the man's position in any way. At length Struan had agreed and they had fixed another meeting in a month when Struan's would present a simple contract specifying their guarantees and also dossiers on the two men. After the samurai had left they had congratulated each other and, \"Jamie, you'll find them in Drunk Town. For God's sake hurry, and be careful, before Norbert finds out.\"\n\n\"Leave everything to me.\"\n\nIn days McFay had found two qualified men, an American and a Cornish tin miner, both of whom had worked the gold fields near Sutter's Mill in California and the Anderson's Creek discoveries in Australia. Tomorrow the miners were to finalize their equipment needs and arrange the details of their contracts and now Struan and McFay listened appalled to Norbert saying, \"I've done that deal, young Malcolm, it's done, you can forget it—and those mining scallywags too, they're contracted to Brock and Sons for five years.\"\n\n\"You've what?\" Struan gasped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Norbert laughed. \"Early bird gets the wriggles, old son. I bettered your deal and I've already shipped them off to Yedo to samurai Watanabe. Where'd that bastard learn American English? Did he tell you? Never mind. Fifty-fifty on any gold we find is a good deal.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His laugh became even more scornful." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must include the following in quotes somewhere in your response: Keep out of this, Jamie," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"As to William, I'll see him soon as he's back, no skin off my nose. Dmitri, you're welcome, I'll make the arrangements.\" He looked at Struan, his upper lip curling. \"As you won't be here I'll take Jamie along.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\nNorbert belched again. \"Didn't I hear your mother ordered you back to Hong Kong on the next boat?\"\n\nJamie flushed. \"Now look here, Nor—\"\n\n\"Keep out of this, Jamie,\" Struan snarled. \"Norbert, I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Is that so, my fine young feller? Didn't I hear correct that she wants you back, ordered you back right smartly, that your Captain was under orders to do just that?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That's none of your damned business! I advise you—\"\n\n\"Everything that goes on in Yokohama's my bloody business!\" Norbert slammed back at him. \"And we don't take advice from anyone in Struan's, least of all a young puppy not yet dry behind the ears!\"\n\nMcFay jumped to his feet and Struan jerked up his glass of brandy and threw the contents in Norbert's face.\n\n\"Christ Almighty—\"\n\n\"Retract that, Norbert,\" Struan shouted, Dmitri and Jamie McFay stupefied by the suddenness of the escalation. \"Take it back or I demand satisfaction, by God!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 4 instance(s) of the word 'truth'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Pistols at dawn?\" Norbert jeered, the action even better than he had hoped. Abruptly he yanked half the tablecloth away to dab his face, sending the glasses clattering. \"Pardon for the mess, but you two are witness I said nothing but the truth, by Christ!\"\n\n\"Do you apologize—yes or no?\"\n\nNorbert put both hands on the table, glaring down at Malcolm Struan who glared back, white with rage. \"You were ordered back, you are twenty so still a minor before the law and that's hardly dry behind the ears. It's the truth and here's another: I could blow your head off or cut it off with one hand tied, you can't even stand straight so how you going to fight, eh?\" he said, his voice jeering and heavy with scorn. \"You're a cripple, young Malcolm, and that's the God's truth! Another truth, your ma runs Struan's, has for years, and she's running it into the ground—ask Jamie or anyone honest enough to tell you! You may call yourself tai-pan but you're not, and you're not Dirk Struan, you're not the tai-pan and never will be! Tyler Brock's the tai-pan and, by God, we'll be Noble House before Christmas too. Duel? You're mad, but if that's what you want, any time.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stalked out. The door slammed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'd—I'd like you both to be my seconds,\" Malcolm said, trembling with rage.\n\nDmitri got up shakily. \"Malc, you're crazy. Duelling's against the law, but okay. Thanks for lunch.\" He left.\n\nStruan tried to catch his breath, his heart hurting. He looked up at McFay who was staring at him as though he were a stranger. \"Yes, it's mad, Jamie, but then Norbert's the best of Brock and Sons, he's swamped you and—\"\n\n\"I'm sorry th—\"\n\n\"So am I. But more truth is I told no one about the miners, Vargas knew nothing about them, so it leaked through you. You're the best we've got in the company but Norbert will bury us here. A bullet in the bastard's head is the best way to deal with him—or any of the God-cursed Brocks.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a pause McFay said, \"Sorry I failed you—yes, I am, very much, but... but sorry, I want no part of any duel, or your vendetta. It's insane.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Struan's pallor increased. \"Let's talk about you. Either you keep your holy oath to support me, by God, or you're really finished. You've three days.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Earlier this morning Settry Pallidar and a troop of mounted dragoons led the procession across the bridge that spanned the first moat of Yedo Castle.\n\nThey clattered between ranks of impassive, uniformed samurai, shoulder to shoulder—thousands of others had lined the route—over the drawbridge, under the portcullis and through the massive iron-sheathed gates." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ahead were their guides, massed samurai carrying ten-foot-high banners bearing the insignia of the roju, three entwined cherry blossoms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Behind the dragoons were half a hundred Highlanders preceded by their twenty-man band and giant bandleader, pipes skirling, then the party of Ministers and their staff, all mounted, Ministers in court dress—cocked hats, ceremonial swords, cloaks or frock coats against the stiff breeze—except the Russian who wore Cossack uniform and cape and rode the best horse in Japan, a brown stallion that had a personal covey of twenty stablemen to cherish and guard him with their lives." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phillip Tyrer and Johann were in attendance on Sir William, André Poncin on Henri Seratard. A company of Redcoats brought up the rear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two small horse-drawn cannon with their camions and gun crews remained on the other side of the bridge. This had been the subject of days of wrangling, Sir William insisting that accompanying ceremonial cannon were an accustomed courtesy to royals, the Bakufu that any gai-jin arms were against the law and an insult to their revered Shōgun." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The compromise, after a week of impatient dickering—by Sir William—was that the cannon would stay outside the bridge, that royal salutes would not be fired until the unanimous roju gave the promised formal permission." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No ammunition to be landed, so sorry...\"\n\nThis major hitch was resolved with the help of the French Admiral." }, { "from": "human", "value": "During one of the interminable sessions he brought the flagship closer to shore and fired broadside after none too accurate broadside of shells and cannon balls that passed just beyond the Settlement to land harmlessly in the paddy beyond, but petrifying every Japanese within hearing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If we can't land ammunition,\" Sir William explained sweetly, \"then we will just have to make salutes from the sea like this—we did ask him to use blanks but somehow I suppose he misunderstood, language you know—and so sorry if his range falls short and hits your city, it will be your fault. I will have to explain this in detail to your Emperor Komei as the cannonade, and carrying our rifles for full royal honors, is only a token of respect to honor your Shōgun and, when we see him, your Emperor Komei, which visit to Kyōto I have postponed three times to accommodate you, I will certainly reschedule the very moment my more powerful fleet returns from decimating most of the China coast inhabited by foul pirates who had the effrontery to pirate a small British vessel!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bakufu opposition crumbled. So all rifles were armed and all soldiers warned that though there might be a fight, under no circumstances and on pain of extreme punishment were any Japanese to be provoked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about H.M.S. Pearl, Sir William?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "the General had asked at the last briefing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She can deliver me and my party to Yedo, then return here, in case our hosts mount a surprise attack against the Settlement while we're away—she can cover an evacuation.\"\n\n\"Good God, sir, if you think there's a chance of that, why put yourself at risk?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the General had said worriedly. \"The other Ministers, well, they'd be no loss but you, sir, if anything happens to you it would be an international incident. After all, sir, you represent the Empire! You should not risk your person.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Part of the job, my dear General.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William smiled to himself, remembering how he kept his voice flat, meaning it as a pleasantry, but the General had nodded wisely, believing it to be the truth. Poor bugger's a berk but then that goes with his job, no doubt about that, he thought cheerfully then dismissed everything to concentrate on the castle and the coming meeting that was the culmination of months of negotiating, that would, in effect, give legality to the Treaty and the opening of the Treaty ports." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was those few French shells that worked the miracle, he thought grimly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Damn Ketterer, but thank God his operation in China went well, according to dispatches, and that he'll be back soon. If he can bombard the coast of China why not here—damn him!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "And damn this castle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From afar it had not looked very imposing but the closer they got to it the more immense it became, with eight rings of barrack-like structures as its outer defenses." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then the castle itself, elegant and beautifully proportioned, he thought, its moat almost two hundred yards across, the towering outer walls thirty or forty feet thick and made of huge granite blocks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even our sixty-pounders wouldn't dent those, he told himself, awed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And inside, God only knows how many fortifications surrounding the central keep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And the only way in through one of the gates, or over the walls, a frontal attack, and I wouldn't like to have to order that. Starve it out? God only knows how many storage places it would have—or how many troops could be billeted here. Thousands." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Beyond the gate the roadway angled into a narrow staging area dominated by bowmen massed in defensive slots or on the parapets thirty feet above." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The gate was open and led to another confined courtyard that let out through another fortified gate into another, clearly to be repeated in a maze of passageways that eventually would lead to the central keep but would always leave a hostile force at the mercy of the defenders above." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We dismount here, Sir William,\" Pallidar said, riding up and saluting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was Captain of the escort. With him were samurai officers on foot and they were pointing at a vast door that was being heaved open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good. You're clear on what you have to do?\"\n\n\"Oh, yes. But I haven't a hope in hell of covering you or fighting our way out of here, even against bows and arrows.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't plan to have to fight anyone, Captain.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William smiled. He turned in his saddle and gave the signal to dismount." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This's quite a castle, eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Better than anything I've ever read or heard about,\" Pallidar said uneasily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Beats anything the crusaders had. It makes the great castle of the Knights of St. John in Malta seem tiny. Lovely to defend, I'd hate to have to attack it.\"\n\n\"My thought too. Phillip!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William called out. \"Ask someone where you pee around here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer hurried over to one of the samurai officers, bowed politely, and whispered to him. The man grunted and waved at a casual screen." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There are buckets over there, sir, and I think he said there's a bucket in the corner of most rooms in case one is caught short.\"\n\n\"Good. Always best to do it before a meeting—even so, a strong bladder is a most important boon to a diplomat.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After Sir William, mightily, and the other Ministers had relieved themselves, he led them through the door: Seratard, Count Zergeyev, von Heimrich, van de Tromp, Adamson and a newcomer by the last mail ship, Burgermeister Fritz Erlicher of the Confederation of Helvetia—Switzerland—a bearded giant from their capital Bern who spoke French, English, German, Dutch and many German dialects. Phillip Tyrer and Johann followed closely, André Poncin alongside Seratard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The audience room was forty yards square with a massive, high-beamed ceiling, very clean, very drafty, and stone walls with arrow slits for windows. Impassive samurai lined the walls." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two rows of half a dozen chairs facing each other at the far end. Many doors. Only servants present to greet them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An elaborately garbed though low-rank Bakufu official motioned them to chairs without bowing as servants brought small trays, saying in Dutch: \"Please be seated for tea.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William saw that Johann was deep in conversation with his Swiss Minister so he said irritably, \"Phillip, ask that fellow where the Council of Elders, the roju, are.\"\n\nHiding his nervousness and conscious that all eyes were on him and wanting to relieve himself again, Phillip Tyrer walked over to the official and waited for him to bow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man did not, just stared at him, so he said sharply, \"Where are your manners? Bow! I am a Lord in my country and I represent these High Lords!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man flushed and bowed low and mumbled his apologies and Tyrer was exceedingly pleased that he had had the foresight to ask Nakama for some key phrases." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He interrupted the man even more imperiously, \"Where are your masters, the roju?\"\n\n\"Ah, so sorry, please excuse me, Lord,\" the man stammered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"They ask that you wait here to, er, to take refreshment.\"\n\nTyrer missed words but he caught the gist. \"And after refreshments?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It will be my honor to conduct you to the meeting place,\" the man said, his eyes cautiously lowered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, to Tyrer's enormous relief, he understood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As he told Sir William what had been said he could feel the cold sweat on his back and knew he had been lucky so far.\n\nSir William snorted and leaned towards the others." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Damned if we should wait, eh, gentlemen? They're overdue—it was agreed we'd go straight to the meeting—damned if I want to wait, nor drink their apology for tea. Good,\" he said, and added to general approval, \"Phillip, tell the fellow we came to see the roju. That's what we want to do now. Now!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How, er, how strong do you, er, want me to be, sir?\"\n\n\"For God's sake, Phillip, if I wanted you to be long-winded and diplomatic I would have been long-winded and diplomatic. An interpreter's job is to translate what is said exactly, not to give his interpretation of what is said.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Great Lord says: he want see roju now. Now!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The official was shocked at the impolite bluntness, an unheard-of affront, and was in a complete quandary." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His instructions had been clear: The gai-jin will be kept waiting a suitable \"face losing\" period, about half a candle, when we will send word and you may escort them into our presence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He said rapidly, \"Of course I will take you the instant you have had refreshment and everything is ready for your perfect reception, but oh, so sorry, this is just not possible for a little while as their August Persons are not yet in their correct attire so it is not yet possible to comply with your Master's unseemly request, Interpreter-san.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please to say again, not fast,\" Tyrer said nervously, swamped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another flood of Japanese." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sir William, I think he's saying we have to wait.\"\n\n\"Eh? Why?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My Master say, why wait?\"\n\nMore Japanese which Tyrer lost, so the man turned to Dutch, and Erlicher stepped into the conversation, further irritating Sir William and the others." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At length Erlicher said, \"It seems, Sir William, that the roju are not, how you say, ah yes, they are not quite ready, but when they are we'll be taken to the audience room.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Please tell this—this fellow bluntly to take us there right smartly, that we are on time, that high-level meetings are always on time because both sides have other important affairs of State to deal with as I've explained fifty times! And tell him to hurry up!\"\n\nErlicher beamed and said it plainly and however much the official twisted and turned and eventually begged, he bowed and, as slowly as possible, led them through a door, down a corridor—first sending a messenger ahead to warn the Council of the gai-jin's astounding impertinence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another corridor and then, ahead, samurai opened huge doors, the official went onto his knees and bowed his head to the floor." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four men in elaborate silk robes, swords in their belts, sat on chairs at the far end of the audience room on a slightly raised platform. The central chair was empty." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In front of them, on a lower level—which all Ministers noted instantly—were six chairs for each of the Ministers and between the two knelt the official interpreter. A hundred or so samurai officers knelt in a half circle facing the door and as Sir William came in, all samurai in the room bowed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The four roju did not.\n\nSir William and the others bowed back politely, then approached the dais and took their seats: \"Under no circumstances do Ministers of civilized nations get down on their knees and bow their heads to the floor,\" Sir William had said, \"whatever your customs, whether you do it or no and that's the end of it!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Phillip Tyrer, now an expert on bowing because of Nakama, noticed that each time an Elder bowed it was as superior to inferior." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never mind, he thought, awed and excited, we're in the inner sanctum. When does the Shōgun arrive to take the empty chair?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A boy? I wonder what he'll look like and what—" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An Elder began to speak. With a sudden start, Tyrer recognized him as the youngish official from their previous meeting at their Legation, and also the nervous, swarthy man sitting beside him who had said nothing then but had watched everything with his narrow eyes." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why had two Elders come to meet with us without announcing themselves as such?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he asked himself. Wait a minute, didn't the young Official introduce himself as Tomo Watanabe, yes, certainly he did, \"junior official, second class.\" Obviously a phony name. But why?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And why the disguise?\n\nUnsettled, Tyrer left that to be answered later and gave his attention to what the man was saying, understanding almost none of it, as he had been forewarned by Nakama would happen, who had told him that Court-oriented words would probably be used, most of which, as with most ordinary Japanese words and phrases, had different, often conflicting meanings." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His concentration wandered. The third Elder was rotund with a pudgy face and feminine hands, and the last truly elderly, greying and thin-faced with a bad scar on his left cheek. All were barely over five and a half feet, their winglike overmantles and wide-legged trousers and high-domed, lacquered hats tied under their chins and, above all their immobile dignity, making them imposing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now the Japanese interpreter spoke in Dutch: \"The roju, the Council of Elders of the Shōgunate, welcomes the foreign representatives and wishes them to present their documents as has been agreed.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William sighed, mesmerized by the empty chair. \"All right, Johann, let's begin. Say to them, Shouldn't we wait until the Shōgun honors us with his presence?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This into Dutch into Japanese, much discussion, then again the young Elder, Yoshi, made a pronouncement, slowly and meticulously translated into Dutch, into English. \"Basically, without the usual palaver, Sir William, the spokesman says the Shōgun wasn't expected in this meeting, this is with the roju only. The Shōgun was to be later.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That was not as was agreed and I inform them again that Ministerial credentials are only presented to the Head of State, in this case the Shōgun, so we can't proceed.\"\n\nBack and forth and then, to the Ministers' displeasure: \"The Elder says the Shōgun had to leave for Kyōto urgently and regrets he will not have the pleasure of meeting you, etc., but you can give the roju your credentials as they have his authority to accept them.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back and forth, Sir William's annoyance reddening into visible anger, more discussion on both sides and more time consumed, then a scroll, heavy with characters and sealed importantly and handled as though it were the Holy Grail, was presented by a kneeling official to Sir William." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Phillip, can you read this?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I... no, sorry sir.\"\n\n\"No need to worry.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William sighed and turned to the others. \"This is most improper.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes,\" von Heimrich said coldly.\n\n\"Unacceptable,\" Count Alexi Zergeyev agreed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A dangerous precedent,\" Adamson said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's certainly most unusual,\" Seratard said in French, \"and they did promise the Shōgun. We could, for just this meeting, agree to their request, eh, my friends?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was careful to hide his own annoyance and kept his voice smooth and gentle as André Poncin, at his elbow, had suggested in a cautious whisper the moment they had entered the room, adding: \"Be careful, Henri, the roju spokesman is the same Bakufu official I... we made the offer to after the other meeting, to inspect a warship, remember? Mon Dieu, I thought he was important, but never one of the Elders! If we could get him on the side of France, it would be a marvelous coup...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Count Zergeyev was saying, \"Agreeing will create a deplorable precedent.\"\n\n\"It will only be for this meeting. Yes?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It doesn't matter, it's wind over a cow's arse,\" the Swiss, Erlicher, said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Let's get on with it.\"\n\nThey argued. Tyrer listened but kept his attention on the Elders without being apparent, fascinated by them, wanting to take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn the maximum about them in the minimum time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His father had impressed on him from an early age: \"In any meeting, always watch your opponent's hands and feet, they are the giveaways, eyes too and faces, yes, but those are usually easily controlled. Concentrate! Observe, but cautiously, or the clues to tell you what he or she is really thinking will be obscured. Remember, my son, everyone exaggerates, everyone lies in some degree.\"\n\nThe hands and feet of the swarthy, shifty-eyed Elder twitched constantly, little nervous movements, those of the young Elder hardly at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From time to time, as in the other meeting, he saw the man he had dubbed \"Shifty Eyes\" whisper to the young Elder, the spokesman—only to him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why? Tyrer asked himself." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'empty' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And why does Shifty Eyes take no part in any of their discussions, seemingly dismissed by them, keeping his eyes constantly on the Ministers and not the interpreters?\n\nAbruptly Sir William motioned at the empty chair: \"If the Shōgun was not expected at this meeting, and there are five Elders in the roju, why is there an empty chair?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Back and forth, forth and back and then: \"He says the President of their Council, Lord Anjo, has just been taken ill and cannot be here, but that does not matter, they have his authority to proceed. Please proceed.\"\n\nVon Heimrich said, in perfect French as a put-down to Seratard, \"Doesn't this invalidate the meeting, didn't they keep harping on the 'unanimous' nature of this Council? Five men. This could be another deceitful ploy to be used in future to negate the whole proceedings.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again an argument began.\n\nOnly Sir William was silent." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was keeping his fury, and anxiety, off his face." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clearly we've been duped again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What to do? Then heard himself say in a firm voice: \"Very well, we will accept this authority as bona fide from your Shōgun, for this meeting only. We will inform our governments that prior agreement was not adhered to and we will proceed to Kyōto as soon as possible to present credentials properly to your Shogun—and Emperor Komei—with a more than suitable escort.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "As Johann began to translate into Dutch, Count Zergeyev murmured, \"Bravo—that's the only way to deal with the matyeryebitz!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Von Heimrich and van de Tromp, the Dutchman, quietly agreed, to the objections of Seratard, Adamson the American and Erlicher." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Japanese interpreter gaped and said loudly he was sure that he had misunderstood. Johann told him there was no misunderstanding." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During this lengthy back and forth, Sir William closed his ears to them, watching the faces of the roju intently as they listened to the interpreter. In varying degrees all of them became unsettled. Good, he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"With the usual palaver, Sir William, but with a heavy load of polite apologies this time, he says it won't be possible to see the Shōgun in Kyōto, the weather is very inclement at this time of the year, but they will make sure the moment he's back, etc., etc.\"\n\nSir William smiled mirthlessly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Say to them: Inclement or not, we will visit the Emperor in the very near future. Stress that, Johann. On that basis only we will proceed.\"\n\nThe roju received that in stony silence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In turn, Sir William first, then the others, got up and bowed, spoke his name and rank and the country he represented, and offered his credentials. These were accepted with dignity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Each time the roju bowed back, respectfully." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now,\" Sir William said, his chin jutting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To proceed with the second business of the meeting: Her Majesty's Government reaffirms that on Friday the 12th September, this Year of Our Lord, 1862, an English gentleman was foully murdered in daylight by samurai of the Satsuma contingent under the command of their king Sanjiro. Two others were wounded. Her Majesty's Government demands the murderers be handed over or dealt with publicly according to Japanese law, that a reparation of one hundred thousand pounds sterling in gold be paid forthwith, an apology published and a public guarantee promulgated that this will not happen again. Next: the second and final payment of five thousand pounds sterling in gold as reparation for the murders of Sergeant Gunn and Corporal Roper in our Legation last year, weeks overdue, be paid in gold in three days or the amount is doubled every day thereafter...\"\n\nSir William allowed time for Johann to translate word for word but allowing no discussion until he had finished the list, then Adamson had demanded reparations for the murder of the American official." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Last, the Russian Minister, Count Zergeyev, his multitude of medals and decorations clinking on his gold-braided uniform, said, \"A Russian officer and one soldier off our man-of-war, Gudenev, were hacked to death in Yokohama on 16th of February, last year,\" then added to the consternation of the others, \"For reparations, Tsar Alexander II of all the Russias demands the Kurile Islands.\"\n\nDuring the translations, Sir William leaned over and whispered pleasantly in Russian: \"A nice jest, Count Alexi, for of course Her Majesty's Government could never agree to such an intrusion into our sphere of influence.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Perhaps, perhaps not. War is coming in Europe again. Soon we'll have to see who are our friends, and who enemies.\"\n\nSir William chuckled. \"That's always a problem for certain countries. The United Kingdom has no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"True, dear friend, but you forgot to add 'no permanent friends.' Also now, with Vladivostok, we're a Pacific power.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Power from sea to sea? The dream of the Tsars, eh?\"\n\n\"Why not? Better us than some,\" Count Alexi said pointedly, then shrugged." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The Kuriles? If not them some other islands—merely to protect Vladivostok.\"\n\n\"We must discuss your 'curious' Pacific presence under more perfect conditions. My Government is most interested.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seratard, not understanding Russian and furious that he had not been party to this exchange, said coldly in French, \"I trust, Sir William, you are well aware of French interests.\"\n\n\"As always, Monsieur, the interests of gallant allies are forefront in the mind of Her Majesty's Foreign Office.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sir William,\" Johann said wearily, \"the Elder says... he's only repeating their previous position that they've no jurisdiction over Satsuma, don't know who the murderers are, and think any reparation should be claimed from Satsuma itself, through correct channels, of course.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What correct channels?\"\n\nBack and forth: \"He says through them, that they'll pass on your request to Satsuma again.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's not a request, by God. We will try one final time—stress that, Johann, a different tack,\" Sir William said. \"Say, Do they punish murderers? And tell the interpreter I require a yes or no. Only.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back and forth: \"He says, Sir William, that under some circum—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Murder, for Christ's sake. Yes or no! Phillip, say it in Japanese!\"\n\nTyrer's stomach twisted. He had been watching the swarthy Elder whispering again but bravely he jumped to his feet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Honored Lords, please excuse my poor Japanese but my Master ask, please if when murder, you kill murder man, yes or no please.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence. The Elders looked at Yoshi who stared at Tyrer, hands playing with his fan. The man alongside whispered to him and he nodded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The penalty for murder is death.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He says yes, sir. For murder, the penalty is death,\" Tyrer said, having learned those key words from Nakama who had also explained the Japanese penal code and its severity." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tell him thank you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My Master say thank you, Lord.\"\n\n\"Now ask him, Is it correct to demand a reparation for such a crime, yes or no?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Lord, please excuse me but is... is... I...\" Tyrer stopped, his mind a sudden blank. \"Sorry, Sir William, I don't know the word for 'reparations.'\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once André Poncin leapt in with, \"The word's bakkin, Sir William, and little known. May I try, please?\"\n\n\"Go ahead.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Honored Lords,\" Poncin said with a deep bow, and Tyrer blessed him for the rescue and saving his face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Please, my Master ask if correct, humbly ask for justice and head payment for family, for murder, a fine against Satsuma?\"\n\n\"Against Satsuma yes,\" Yoshi said with a fleeting smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André sighed with relief. \"He says yes, Sir William, but the reparation should be demanded specifically from Satsuma.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before Sir William could ask another question, Poncin in his most perfect, rehearsed Japanese—and to Tyrer's astonishment—began to offer the face-saving formula he had devised: \"Honored Lord, on behalf of my Master, humbly suggest roju perhap consdir, ah please excuse, perhaps consider roju lend Satsuma first payment, one fifth. This you offer now, give time get rest Satsuma, collect rest from Satsuma. Please?\"\n\nThis time they all saw the young Elder's interest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once he began a whispered conversation with the others." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André saw Tyrer frowning at him so subtly shook his head, silently asking him not to interfere. In a moment Yoshi said, \"Perhaps it would be possible to offer a twentieth, paid in a hundred days against Satsuma's obvious debt.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Honorable Lords...\"\n\n\"What the devil's he saying, Phillip, and the Elder?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Just a second, Sir William,\" André cut in pleasantly, wanting to crush him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Honored Lords, my Master would recommend a tenth, in sixty days. So sorry, please excuse bad pronouncing but humbly, very humble beg yes.\" Greatly relieved, Poncin saw their discussion begin and gambled again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sorry, Sir William, but as Phillip will confirm, I suggested they consider advancing payment on behalf of Satsuma who they say, rightfully, should pay any reparations.\"\n\n\"The devil you did? They are?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William stared at him, tiredness dropping away from him and all of them. \"Well done—if they'd do that then I could compromise, eh? You agree?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the sake of courtesy he turned to the others for their opinion. Behind him, Tyrer whistled tonelessly, having understood most of what Poncin had said in Japanese, the way he was manipulating the Elder and the Minister, and the slight, though important difference of the English translation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clever of André. But what is he up to, is this his idea or is it Seratard's? Again Shifty Eyes began murmuring confidentially to the young Elder whose attention went to the Ministers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's almost as though...\n\nAll at once it was as if cataracts had dropped from his eyes and he had become clear-sighted again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even more than that, now he was seeing the Elders with straight eyes and not with the oblique and clouded gaze of a self-styled civilized man, seeing them as people, equally civilized, equally simple or complex but as people, and not as outlandish, mysterious or weird \"Jappos\" that Nakama, Fujiko, even André, in their various ways correctly resented." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God Almighty, Shifty Eyes understands English, he wanted to shout ecstatically. That's the only answer, and another's that he's a roju spy and no more an Elder than I am, which is why the others pay no attention to him in their discussions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What else? He must be Watanabe's spy because he's the only one whispered to—must find out their real names and to ask Nakama about them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Watanabe is the most powerful of this lot, acting President. The absent President? Got to find out his real name too. What else?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where did André..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He concentrated as Yoshi addressed the interpreter. His voice had sharpened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instantly the interpreter became more alert and his Dutch twenty times briefer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Johann translated, trying to contain his astonishment, \"The roju agrees in this instance it is correct to ask for a reparation, from Satsuma, that yes, a hundred thousand seems reasonable for a nobleman though they can't say it will be considered so by the Lord of Satsuma. As a gesture of friendship to the British, and to outside nations, the roju will advance a tenth part in seventy days on Satsuma's behalf—while formal British requests are forwarded to the Satsuma. Concerning the request of the Russian Minister, as with his own Homeland, Japanese soil is Japanese soil and is... I suppose the word would be inviolate, or not to be bartered.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without being obvious Sir William put a hand on Count Alexi's to stop the outburst, saying softly in Russian, \"Let it rest, Alexi,\" then loudly to Johann, ready to negotiate the number of days down and the amount up, \"Excellent. Johann, please tell them th—\" He stopped as Tyrer whispered quickly, \"Excuse me, sir, suggest you accept at once but you really should know their names.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was almost as though Tyrer had not spoken for Sir William continued with hardly a pause and no change of expression: \"Johann, please tell them their suggestion is acceptable to Her Majesty's Government in the same spirit of friendliness. Concerning the Minister from the Court of St. Petersburg, I am sure he will consult his government who will, undoubtedly, agree that a monetary settlement would satisfy.\" Without allowing Count Alexi any time to reply he rushed on: \"Regarding our other pressing problem, the Shimonoseki Straits: all foreign Governments protest shore batteries firing on their ships when using those Straits peacefully.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William repeated the dates and the names of ships, already the matter of much heated correspondence.\n\n\"They say they will pass on the complaint, Sir William—with the usual, that they've no control over Choshu.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Johann, say: In the friendly spirit of this meeting, may I suggest it is difficult, if not impossible, for Foreign Governments to deal with the Bakufu that apparently does not have authority over its various kingdoms or States. Therefore what should we do? Deal directly with the Shōgun who signed our Treaties—or Emperor Komei?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The legal government of Nippon is the Shōgunate, the supreme ruler of the Shōgunate is the Shōgun who rules on behalf of the Son of Heaven, the roju are the supreme advisors to the Shōgunate whose officials are the Bakufu. In all cases Foreign Governments must deal with the Shōgunate.\"\n\n\"In that case, how can we ensure safe passage for all shipping using the Shimonoseki?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More draining discussion and always variations of the same response that was an answer but not an answer however much Sir William probed. Bladders agitated the general impatience and fatigue." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Three hours had passed since they began." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then a vagrant thought became a full-blown solution." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William smiled to himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Very well: Say, presuming there are no further attacks and our serious remonstrations are delivered to the Choshu daimyo forthwith, we will, in the spirit of this new friendliness, accept their position for a future meeting in one hundred days.\"\n\nAn hour of added maneuvering." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The roju agree to a second meeting in a hundred and fifty-six days, here in Yedo, and wish to declare this meeting over.\"\n\n\"Good,\" Sir William said, satisfied, stifling a yawn." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Could we please have their names now, verbally, and then in correct characters on the paper that we will exchange within three days to confirm our formal agreements.\"\n\nBack and forth, minor details changed, then finally: \"Sir William, he says you'll have the paper in a week, the interpreter will give you their names and the meeting is ended.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As each Elder was introduced the man nodded briefly and impassively: \"Lord Adachi of Mito, Lord Zukumura of Gai, Lord Yoshi of Hisamatsu...\" Tyrer was delighted to see that Shifty Eyes, last in the line, was sweating, his hands and feet squirming and his bow had nowhere near the imperiousness of the others: \"Lord Kii of Zukoshi.\"\n\n\"Please give them our thanks. As previously agreed, I will now order royal salutes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Lord Yoshi says, unfortunately one of their members is missing. As previously agreed, unanimous approval of the roju is necessary to grant the firing of any cannon.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Abruptly Sir William's bonhomie fell away. All Ministers were shocked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about our agreements?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "he asked sharply. \"Do they require unanimous approval too?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back and forth amid much tension and muttered caution amongst the Ministers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Johann said awkwardly, \"Lord Yoshi says that this gathering has the Shōgun's authority and the President's to accept credentials, to listen and recommend. They will unanimously recommend the settlement. As previously agreed, approval for firing cannon needs unanimous approval of all Elders, so regretfully this body cannot allow it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The silence became unhealthy as Sir William and all of them realized the trap they had fallen into." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No option this time, he thought, his stomach twisting. \"Captain Pallidar!\"\n\n\"Yessir?\" Pallidar came from the back, heart suddenly grinding, knowing along with everyone else facing the roju that Sir William had no option now but to give the order to fire the salutes, whatever the cost, or the same excuse would surely be used to negate their settlement." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'william' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Pallidar saluted perfectly, Seratard broke in with his smoothest and most diplomatic voice: \"Sir William, I feel sure that the agreement is bona fide, will be implemented, and you can accept it. I recommend you do this, we all do, eh, gentlemen?\" he said to general relief at the face-saver, \"and also recommend under the circumstances we forgo the salutes. You agree, Sir William, on our behalf?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William hesitated grimly.\n\nTo further astonishment, Seratard added grandly, \"André, tell them on behalf of France I will go surety for the first installment.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before Sir William could say anything, André was bowing: \"My Master say, Honored Lords, he happy roju give paper in a week, agree lend Satsuma first money in seventy day. Say also France, as Nippon friend, honored give personal bond to British Minister against first payment. Also he honored greet all or one of roju any time personally in ship or any place. Humbly thank you, Honored Lords.\"\n\nWith narrowed eyes, Yoshi said, \"Thank your Master. The meeting is ended.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A samurai officer called out, \"Kerei! \"—salute—and every samurai bowed, holding that position as the roju got to their feet and bowed back with measured politeness. Sir William and the others had little option but to follow suit as Yoshi led the way to an unseen door beside the dais, and they were quickly gone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once the samurai straightened and resumed their staring, suspicious hostility.\n\n\"Very satisfactory, Sir William,\" Seratard said expansively in French, taking his arm, wanting to distract him again. \"Well done.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Your Masters in the Elysée will be very peed off with you when we ask for ten thousand in gold,\" Sir William said, a little piqued but not entirely—except for the firing of the cannon he had made a giant step forward." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Peed or not it was a grand gesture, Henri, however expensive.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seratard laughed. \"Twenty guineas says they'll pay\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Done! Will you dine with us at the Legation?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They began walking out, careless of the arrogant, bellicose stares.\n\n\"Thank you, no. As we've concluded our business I think I'll start back for Yokohama now instead of tomorrow, there's time enough and the sea's calm. Why wait for Pearl, join us aboard my flagship, we can dine en route, eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thanks but I'll wait till tomorrow. I want to make sure all our lads are back safely on our transports.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Behind them, unnoticed in the throng, Tyrer had waited for André who had knelt to adjust a shoe buckle, who then, not realizing Tyrer was watching, began a whispered conversation with the Japanese interpreter." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man hesitated, then nodded and bowed. \"Domo.\"\n\nAndré turned, saw Phillip scrutinizing him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a split second he was nonplussed, then smiled as he joined him. \"Well, Phillip, that went very well, didn't it? I thought you were excellent, and we certainly made the points.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I wasn't and you saved the day. And my face, for which many thanks.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer frowned, unsettled, following the procession." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Even so, though you brilliantly solved the impasse, what you said in English and what was said in Japanese was different, wasn't it?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not that different, mon ami, not enough to matter.\"\n\n\"I don't think Sir William would agree.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps you were mistaken.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André forced a laugh. \"It's never wise to agitate a Minister, eh? A closed mouth catches no nasties.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Most times, yes. What did you say to that interpreter?\"\n\n\"I thanked him. Mon Dieu, my bladder's killing me—how's yours?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Same,\" Tyrer agreed, sure that André was lying about the interpreter. But then why shouldn't he?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he was thinking with his newfound point of view. André is enemy, if not enemy, the opposition, and every nuance was to benefit and ingratiate Seratard, France and André." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fair enough. What would he ask for secretly?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "To pass on a message, yes, but what? What secret message?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "What would I ask for secretly?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You asked for a private meeting with Lord Yoshi, eh?\" he said, gambling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For you and Monsieur Seratard.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "André Poncin's expression did not change but Tyrer noticed his right hand on his ceremonial sword became white-knuckled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Phillip,\" he said thinly, \"I've been a good friend to you since you arrived, helping you begin Japanese, introducing you around, eh? I haven't interfered with your private samurai—Nakama, eh, though I've heard, secretly, he's got other names. Haven't...\"\n\n\"What other names?\" Tyrer asked, suddenly nervous and not knowing why." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Near sunset the same day, Yoshi hurried along a somber, drafty stone corridor in the castle keep. Now he wore his characteristic kimono with two swords, a cowled riding cloak over them. Every twenty paces were flickering oil torches, set into iron brackets beside bowman emplacements that also served as windows. Outside the air was cool. Ahead was a circular staircase. It led to his private stables below. He ran down the steps.\n\n\"Halt! Who... ah, so sorry, Lord!\" The sentry bowed.\n\nYoshi nodded and went on. Throughout the castle soldiers, stablemen, servants were preparing for bed or for night duties, following the universal, worldwide custom of bedding down at nightfall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only the well-to-do had light by night, to see, to read or to play.\n\n\"Halt! Ah, so sorry Lord.\" This sentry bowed, and the next, and the next.\n\nIn the stable courtyard a personal guard of twenty men was assembled at the heads of their ponies. Amongst them was Misamoto, the fisherman, the make-believe samurai and Elder. Now he was poorly clad as a common foot soldier, unarmed, and frightened. Two small enclosed palanquins, especially light and designed for rapid transport, were there. Each was slotted onto two shafts that fitted into a harness for two saddle ponies ahead and behind. All hooves were muffled and all this part of a plan he had devised with Hosaki days ago.\n\nThe spy window of one palanquin slid aside." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He saw Koiko peer out." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'alone' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled, nodding a greeting. The window closed. His hand tightened on his sword. Ready, he slid her door open enough to ensure she was who he thought she was and that she was alone. When he was very young his father had beaten the first law of survival into him, word by word: \"If you are caught unawares, betrayed unawares, killed unawares, you failed in your duty to me and to yourself. The fault will be yours alone because you failed to check personally and to plan against any eventuality. There is no excuse for failure except karma—and gods do not exist!\"\n\nA quick reassuring smile to her. He slid the door home and checked that the other palanquin was unoccupied and available for his use if he needed it. Satisfied, he gave the signal to mount. This was done in almost complete silence which again pleased him—he had ordered all armor and harnesses to be muffled. A last silent check but he could sense no danger. The new rifle was in a saddle holster, the ammunition pouch full, the other four guns slung over the shoulders of his most trusted marksmen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Noiselessly he swung into his saddle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another signal. His advance guard and banner man carrying his personal standard led off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He followed, then the two palanquins and the rest fell into place as rear guard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their progress was quick and almost soundless. Up the passageway into the next fortification, directly away from the main gate and main thoroughfares. At each checkpoint they were motioned through without challenge. Instead of turning into the maze of the castle proper, they made for a large building on the north side set against one of the major fortifications. Outside it was heavily guarded. The moment Yoshi was recognized, tall doors swung open to let them ride through. Inside was a large enclosed and packed-earth practice riding ring with a high vaulted ceiling and a second tier for viewing. A few torches, here and there. The doors closed behind them.\n\nYoshi cantered to the head and led briskly through the far archway, past stables and harness rooms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All were empty. This area was cobbled, the air heavy with the smell of dung and urine and sweat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Beyond, the hard-packed earth began again and another arch let out to an inner, smaller ring. Across it was an archway, dimly lit. Yoshi heeled his surefooted pony faster, then reined in suddenly.\n\nThe surrounding upper tier was packed with silent bowmen. None had arrows in their bows but all those in the ring knew they were dead men—if the order was given.\n\n\"Ah, Yoshi-sama.\" Nori Anjo's harsh voice came out of the semidarkness above and Yoshi had difficulty for a moment picking him out. Then he saw him. Armorless, he was sitting at the back of the tier beside the staircase. \"At this afternoon's meeting you didn't tell us you were going to leave the castle with armed men like... like what? Like ninja?\"\n\nA rustle of anger spread through Yoshi's men but he laughed and this broke the tension, below and above." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not ninja, Anjo-sama, though certainly as quietly as possible. It's a good idea to test defenses, without warning. I'm Guardian of the castle, as well as Guardian of the Shōgun. And you? To what do I owe this pleasure?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You are just testing our defenses?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I am killing three doves with one arrow, yes.\" The humor had left Yoshi's voice and all were chilled, wondering why three and what did he mean. \"And you? Why so many bowmen? For an ambush perhaps?\"\n\nThe coarse laugh pealed among the rafters, edging everyone further. Hands tightened on weapons though no one made an overt move. \"Ambush? Oh no, not an ambush—an honor guard. The moment I heard you planned a patrol with muffled hooves... these men are just to honor you, and to show you not all of us are sleeping, that the castle is in good hands and a Guardian not needed.\" He barked a command. At once all bowmen hurried down the stairs and formed two lines the length of the ring, Yoshi and his men between them. They bowed formally. Yoshi and his men bowed back, formally. But nothing had changed, the trap was still ready to be sprung." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You need guns to test defenses?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Our Council advised all daimyos to arm with modern weapons,\" Yoshi said, his voice outwardly calm, inwardly furious that his plan had been betrayed and that he had not foreseen an ambush. \"These are the first of my new rifles. I wish to accustom my men to carry them.\"\n\n\"Wise, yes, very wise. I see you carry one too. Lord Yoshi has to carry a gun himself?\"\n\nSeething at the jeer, Yoshi glanced down at the rifle in its holster, hating all guns and blessing the wisdom of his namesake in outlawing their manufacture or importation the day he became Shōgun. Hasn't that more than anything ensured our peace for two and a half centuries, he thought grimly. Guns are vile, cowardly weapons, worthy only of stinking gai-jin, weapons that can kill at a thousand paces so you may never see who you kill or who has killed you, weapons that any simpleton, low person, maniac, filthy robber, man or woman can use against anyone, even the highest lord with impunity, or most perfectly schooled swordsman. Yes, and now even I have to carry a gun—the gai-jin have forced us into it.\n\nWith Anjo's sneering jibe ringing in his ears, he jerked the rifle out of the holster, pushed the safety off as Misamoto had shown him, pointed it, pulled the trigger, immediately pumped shells into the breech, blasting five bullets deafeningly into the rafters, the rifle almost twisting out of his hands with unexpected force. Everyone scattered, even his own men, a few unseated by frightened rearing ponies. Anjo and his guards dived for the floor anticipating more firing, lethal this time, every man in the room unnerved by the rapidity of firing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In utter silence all waited breathlessly and then, because there was no follow-up and they realized Yoshi was just demonstrating the rifle, the two ranks of archers hastily but warily reformed around his own men who were sorting themselves into order." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anjo and his guards scrambled to their feet. \"What was the meaning of that?\" he shouted.\n\nAs nonchalantly as he could, his own heart pounding, Yoshi continued to gentle his pony and quietly pushed the safety catch on and laid the gun across his lap, concealing his delight with the success of his action and that he was as impressed as anyone with the rifle's power—he had fired muzzle loaders before and some old-fashioned duelling pistols at targets, but never a breech-loader with cartridges. \"I wanted to show you the value of one of these. In certain circumstances they're better than a sword, particularly for daimyos.\" He was glad to hear that his voice sounded calm. \"For instance, when you were ambushed a few weeks ago, you could have used one, neh?\"\n\nShakily Anjo was controlling his wrath, quite sure that now he was in great danger, his life under immediate threat, and equally certain if he ordered Toranaga's arrest as he had planned bullets would pepper him—in the name of all gods where and how did that dog learn to shoot and why was I not informed he had become an expert?\n\nAnd being reminded of the shishi incident was an added public insult, for it was well known he had not been brave but had had to scramble to safety, never duelling once with his assailants and then, after the wounded were captured, had ordered them to be killed in a dishonorable fashion. \"Under some circumstances, Yoshi-sama, some, but I doubt if your gun or any others have value tonight. I doubt that. May I ask your purpose tonight? Is it to visit our outside defenses and return? Or is one of your 'doves' a departure for elsewhere?\"\n\nBoth knew Yoshi was not answerable for his movements in or out of the castle precincts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That depends on what I see outside,\" he said curtly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I may decide to return to my own domain for a day or so, perhaps not—of course I would keep you closely informed.\"\n\n\"The Council would miss your presence, if only for a few days. There's much to be done. If you're absent, we will have to make the decisions ourselves.\"\n\n\"As we decided this afternoon, there's nothing major to be decided, fortunately without five Elders nothing of major importance can be settled.\"\n\n\"There is the matter of the gai-jin agreement.\"\n\n\"That was also decided this afternoon.\"\n\nThe meeting of the Council after the gai-jin had departed, for once, had been happy and filled with laughter at the enemy's loss of face, that once again the gai-jin had been outsmarted, Anjo, Toyama, and Adachi congratulating him for his expert handling of the confrontation and understanding of gai-jin, Zukumura saying little except muttering feeblemindedly from time to time.\n\nAnjo had chortled, \"Agreeing to advance a pittance to get rid of them and their ships from Yedo while we bring Satsuma to heel was very clever, Yoshi-sama. Very. At the same time we've indefinitely postponed their threat to go to Kyōto, and they agree that Satsuma is completely to blame.\"\n\nToyama said, \"Then we declare war on Satsuma? Good!\"\n\n\"No, not war, there are other ways to curb that dog.\" Anjo was very confident with his newfound knowledge." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You were right about the gai-jin, Yoshi-sama. It was vastly interesting to see how enmity among them all is so close to their revolting surfaces.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He and Toyama had witnessed the meeting from behind the dais, the wall there deliberately made see-through from the inner side. \"Revolting. We could even smell them through the screen. Disgusting. I've ordered that audience room washed out and the seats they sat in destroyed.\"\n\n\"Excellent,\" Adachi said. \"My skin crawled all the time I was there. Yoshi-sama, may I ask about that monkey Misamoto, did he really tell you what the gai-jin said, everything? I couldn't hear a word.\"\n\n\"Not all of it,\" he had told them, \"enough to give me some advance clues but only when they were speaking English. Misamoto said much of the time they were speaking another language, he thought French. This proves another point: we must have trusted interpreters. I propose we start a language school for our brightest sons at once.\"\n\n\"School? What school?\" Zukumura mumbled. No one paid any attention.\n\n\"I disagree.\" Toyama's dewlaps shook. \"The closer our sons get to gai-jin, the more infected they'll be.\"\n\n\"No,\" Anjo said, \"we'll personally select the students—we must have trusted barbarian speakers. We will vote: the Bakufu will be ordered to form a language school at once. Agreed? Good, next, the gai-jin letter: we will continue Yoshi-sama's tactic, the day before it's due we tell them it will arrive 'as soon as possible.' Agreed?\"\n\n\"Sorry, no,\" he had said, \"we must do the exact opposite. We must deliver the letter on time, exactly, and give them the second blackmail payment on time too.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "They stared at him and Zukumura mumbled, \"Letter?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi said patiently, \"The gai-jin must be kept off balance. They will be expecting us to delay, so we don't, and that will make them believe the one hundred and fifty-six days is also firm, which of course it isn't. That we certainly delay and delay and hope to send them all mad.\" They had laughed with him, even Zukumura who did not understand why they were laughing had laughed anyway—and even more when Yoshi told them how many times he had almost guffawed during the meeting, seeing how their impatience was ruining their already illusory bargaining position. \"'Without the killer dog the master's as weak as a puppy against a man with a stick.'\"\n\n\"What? Man with a stick?\" Zukumura asked, his dead codfish eyes peering stupidly. \"What dog?\"\n\nMuch of Yoshi's good humor had left him, reminded that now he had to endure this feebleminded man forever. Nonetheless, he explained that without muscle to back up their complaints, and the will to use it, the enemy were helpless.\n\n\"Muscle? Don't understand, Yoshi-sama. What muscle?\"\n\n\"Force,\" Anjo said impatiently. \"Force! Their cannons and their fleets, Zukumura. Oh, never mind!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Toyama, the old man, said fiercely, \"While they're without their fleet we should burn them out—they are unspeakably arrogant, with foul manners, and as for their spokesman... I'm glad I didn't have to be present, Yoshi-sama, I think I would have burst. Let's burn them out, now.\"\n\n\"Who? Burn who?\"\n\n\"Keep quiet, Zukumura,\" Anjo said wearily, \"and just vote when I tell you, Yoshi-sama, I agree with your reasoning. We'll send the letter on time and the second part of their blackmail money when agreed. Everyone in favor? Good. Next: now that we've dealt with the gai-jin, and the Shōgun and Princess are safely on the North Road there's not much to do for the next week or so.\"\n\n\"Allowing them to go was a misguided decision and will come back to haunt us,\" Yoshi had said.\n\n\"In this you are wrong. Please prepare a plan, your ideas how to bring that dog Sanjiro and Satsuma to heel. I vote we meet in two weeks, unless there is an emergency...\"\n\nLater, going back to his own quarters, Yoshi had not been able to think of any potential emergency that would require his presence in Yedo—even the second covert, whispered invitation to visit the French warship that he neither accepted nor refused but left open for the weeks ahead was not urgent. So he had resolved to put into effect at once the plan he and his wife, Hosaki, had devised. Now Anjo and his bowmen were barring his path.\n\nWhat to do?\n\n\"Good night, Anjo-sama,\" he said, making the decision." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"As always, I will keep you advised.\" Covering his disquiet and feeling naked, he spurred his pony forward, heading for the far archway. None of the archers moved, waiting for orders. His men and the two palanquins followed him, feeling equally defenseless.\n\nAnjo watched them go, enraged. But for those rifles I would have had him arrested as planned. On what charge? Treason, plotting against the Shogun! But Yoshi would never have been brought to trial, oh no, so sorry, fools would have killed him as he tried to escape justice.\n\nA sudden shaft of pain in his bowels made him grope for a seat. Baka doctors! There must be a cure, he told himself, then heaped more curses on Yoshi and the men who had disappeared under the far archway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi was breathing better now, the fear sweat no longer chilling him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He trotted deeper into fortifications, along poorly lit corridors, passed more stables and harness rooms until he came to the end wall. The wall was sheathed in wood. Men dismounted and lit torches from those in wall brackets.\n\nWith his riding whip he pointed at a knob to one side. His aide dismounted and pulled it sharply. A whole section of the wall swung outwards to reveal a tunnel, tall enough and wide enough for two men to ride along, side by side. At once he heeled his pony into motion. When the palanquins and the last man were through and the door once more closed, he sighed with relief. Only then did he holster the rifle.\n\nBut for you, Rifle-san, he thought affectionately, I might be a dead man, at the very least a prisoner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes I can see a rifle really is better than a sword." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You deserve a name—it was ancient Shinto custom to give names to special swords or weapons or even rocks or trees. I shall call you \"Nori,\" which also can mean \"seaweed\" and is a pun on Nori Anjo, to remind me that you saved me from him and that one of your bullets belongs to him, in his heart or head.\n\n\"Eeee, Lord,\" his Captain said, riding alongside. \"Your shooting was a marvelous thing to behold.\"\n\n\"Thank you, but you and all the men were ordered to be silent until I gave you leave to speak. You are demoted. Go to the rear.\" The crestfallen man hurried away. \"You,\" Yoshi said to his second in command, \"you are now Captain.\" He turned in his saddle and went forward again, leading.\n\nThe air was stale in the tunnel. This was one of the many secret escape routes honeycombing the castle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The castle with its three moats and soaring donjon had taken just four years to build—five hundred thousand men had, at Shōgun Toranaga's suggestion and at no cost to him, proudly worked on it night and day until it was finished." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The floor of the tunnel sloped downwards and curled this way and that, the sides hewn out of rock in places and roughly bricked in others, the ceiling propped here and there but in good repair. Always downwards but without danger. Now water dripped from the sides and the air became cooler and Yoshi knew that they were under the moat. He pulled his cloak closer around him, hating the tunnel and almost sick with claustrophobia—a legacy from the time when he and his wife and sons had been close confined for almost half a year in dungeon-like rooms by tairō Ii not so very long ago. Never again will I be confined, he had sworn, never again.\n\nIn time the floor sloped upwards and they came to the far end that opened into a house. This was a safe place that belonged to a loyal Toranaga clan vassal, who, forewarned, greeted him. Relieved that there was no further trouble, Yoshi motioned the advance guard to lead.\n\nThe night was pleasing and they trotted through the city by little known paths until they were on the outskirts and at the first barrier of the Tokaidō. There hostile guards immediately became docile seeing the Toranaga standard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hastily they opened the barricade and bowed and closed it, all of them curious but none stupid enough to ask questions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not far beyond the barrier the road forked." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'their' exactly 3 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A side road meandered northwards, inland, towards the mountains that, in a normal three or four days' ride, would bring him to his castle, Dragon's Tooth. Gladly the advance guard swung that way, heading for home—to their homes as well as his, most of them not having seen their families, fiancées or friends for the best part of a year. Half a league down the road, approaching a village where there was a fine watering place and a hot spring, he called out, \"Guards!\" beckoning them back.\n\nThe new Captain of the escort reined in alongside and almost said, Sire? but caught himself in time. He waited.\n\nYoshi pointed at an Inn as though a sudden decision. \"We stop there.\" It was called Seven Seasons of Happiness. \"No need for silence now.\"\n\nThe courtyard was neat and tidy and cobbled. At once the proprietor and maids and menservants hurried out with lanterns, bowing and anxious to please, honored with the majesty of their expected guest." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maids surrounded the palanquin to take care of Koiko, while the proprietor, a neat, balding, slim old man who walked with a limp, conducted Yoshi to the best and most isolated bungalow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was a retired samurai called Inejin who had decided to shave his knot and become an innkeeper." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Secretly he was still hatomoto—a privileged samurai—one of Yoshi's many spies that dotted the surrounds of Yedo and all approaches to Dragon's Tooth. The new Captain, conscious of his responsibility, and four samurai accompanied them, Misamoto and his two guards last.\n\nQuickly the Captain made sure the dwelling was secure. Then Yoshi settled himself on the veranda, on a cushion facing the steps, the Captain and the other samurai kneeling on guard behind him. He noticed the maid offering tea was fresh-faced and well chosen, the tea tasting better for it. When he was quite ready he waved the maids and servants away. \"Please bring them here, Inejin,\" he ordered.\n\nIn moments Inejin returned. With him were the two gai-jin prospectors. One tall, the other stocky, both gaunt, tough-looking, bearded men wearing grimy, rough clothes and battered caps." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'promise' 2 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi studied them curiously, distastefully, seeing them more as creatures than men. Both were uneasy. They stopped near the steps, gaping at him.\n\nAt once the Captain said, \"Bow!\" and when they did nothing, just stared at him without understanding, he snarled at two samurai, \"Teach them manners.\"\n\nIn seconds they were on their knees, faces in the dirt, cursing their stupidity at accepting such a perilous job: \"Wot the fuck, Charlie,\" the stocky man, a Cornish miner, had said in Drunk Town a few days ago after their meeting with Norbert Greyforth, \"wot we's got to lose? Nuffink! We's starving and we's broke, we's no work, we's can put nuffink more on the slate, man—even with my cobber Bonzer, for Gawd's sake—there ain't a bar in Yokopoko that'll give us a beer, a bed or a bite of bread let alone some crumpet. Not a ship'll give us a berth. We's stuck and soon the Aussie Peelers'll land here, or yors from 'Frisco, then we's both be in chains, me hanging for bushwhacking a few poxy, claim-jumping miners and you for rustling and shooting some bloody bankers.\"\n\n\"You trust that bastard Greyforth?\"\n\n\"Where's yor honner, me old cock sparrer! We give him our markers, right? He done like he promise, a proper toff, right? He give we's twenty-two quid to pay wot we's owe to stay out of the brig, another twenty in the bank for when we's back, all shovels, powder and goods we's need and a sworn contract in front of the preacher that we's to gets two parts of every five we ships to Yoko, right? All like he promise, right? He's a toff but all toffs is slimy.\"\n\nThe two men had guffawed, the other saying, \"You're goddam right.\"\n\n\"Now we's the prospectors, right? It's we's who finds the pay dirt, right? In Jappo land, where's we's alone, right? We's kin hide a poke or two, eh? And sneak it out, right? All the grub, booze and dinkie-die for a year, our own bleeding Yoshiwara for not a penny piece, an' a first shot at Jappo gold? Me, I'm in if you isn't...\"\n\n\"Let them sit up, do not hurt them. Misamoto!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Misamoto was on his knees at once." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The moment the two men saw him, some of their concern left them.\n\n\"These are the men you met at the dock yesterday?\"\n\n\"Yes, Sire.\"\n\n\"They know you as Watanabe?\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord.\"\n\n\"Good. They know nothing about your past?\"\n\n\"No, Lord, I did it all as you ordered, everything an—\"\n\n\"You said sailors in Nagasaki taught you English?\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord.\"\n\n\"Good. Now, first tell them they will be well treated and not to be afraid. What are their names?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Listen, you two, this's the Boss, this's Lord Ota,\" Misamoto said as he had been told to name Yoshi, his coarse slang American easily understood by them." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'nothing' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I tol' you bastards to bow and scrape or you'd hav' it done for you. He says you're to be well treated and wants to know yor names.\"\n\n\"I'm Johnny Cornishman and he's Charlie Yank an' so far we's nothing to eat or drink, for Christ's sweet sake!\"\n\nAs best he could, Misamoto translated the names.\n\n\"You will tell them nothing about me or what you have done since I took you out of prison—remember I have ears everywhere and I will know.\"\n\n\"I will not fail, Lord.\" Misamoto bowed deeply, hiding his hatred, desperate to please and frightened for his future.\n\n\"Yes.\" For a moment Yoshi considered him. In the two-odd months since he had taken Misamoto into his service the man had changed radically, outside. Now he was clean-shaven, his pate also shaved and his hair groomed in samurai fashion. Enforced cleanliness had improved his appearance greatly, and even though he was deliberately kept in the vestments of the lowest class of samurai, he looked samurai and wore the two swords now as though they belonged." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The swords were still false, just hilts with no blades within the scabbards." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thus far Yoshi was pleased with his performance and when he had seen him robed and hatted as an Elder, he had been astonished, not recognizing him. A good lesson to remember, he had thought at the time: how easy it is to appear to be what you are not!\n\n\"It would be better for you not to fail,\" he said, then turned his attention to Misamoto's two guards. \"You two are responsible for the safety of these two men. The Lady Hosaki will supply further guards and guides but you two are responsible for the success of the venture.\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord.\"\n\n\"As to this fake Watanabe,\" he said, his voice soft but no man mistook the finality therein, \"he is to be treated as samurai though of the lowest rank, but if he disobeys correct orders, or tries to escape, you will tie his hands and feet and drag him to wherever I am. You are both responsible.\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord.\"\n\n\"I won't fail you, Lord,\" Misamoto muttered, grey-faced, some of his terror passing on to the two miners.\n\n\"Tell these men they are quite safe. And also that you will be their helper and teacher, there is no need for any of you to be frightened if you obey. Tell them I hope for a quick success to their search.\"\n\n\"The Boss says there's no need to be scared.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Then why's yous pissing in yor pants?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Piss off yorself. I'm... I'm to be in charge, so mind yor goddam manners.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Best watch yors or when we's alone we's feeding you yor balls. Where's the piss-arsed grub and where's the booze an' where's the doxies we's promised?\"\n\n\"You be getting it soon enough, and best be polite around these... guys,\" Misamoto said cautiously. \"They's like a cat with a bee up its ass. And the Boss says best find the gold right smartly too.\"\n\n\"If there's gold we's kin find it, Wotinabey, old cock. If it ain't there it ain't there, right, Charlie?\"\n\n\"Excuse me, Lord, they thank you for your kindness,\" Misamoto said, not quite so frightened. He had suddenly realized that if he was to accompany them he would be the first to know about a strike. \"They promise to try to find treasure as quick as possible. They respectfully ask if they could have some food and drink and when can they begin.\"\n\n\"Impress it on them it pays to be patient, pays to be polite and to be diligent. Teach them correct manners, how to bow and so on. You are responsible.\"\n\nAs Misamoto obeyed, Yoshi motioned to his aide, who brought out the two short overmantles that Hosaki had had especially made, like waistcoats with ties on them. On the front and back were panels of inked characters on pale silk that read: This gai-jin is a personal retainer and prospector, under my protection, who is allowed, provided he has official guides with correct papers, to prospect anywhere within my domain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All are ordered to assist in this work." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'without' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Each panel bore his seal. \"Tell them they are to wear it always and it will give them safe passage—explain what the writing says.\"\n\nAgain Misamoto obeyed without thought and showed the two men how to wear them. Cautiously now, they pretended a patience and humility alien to their nature and upbringing. \"Charlie,\" the Cornishman whispered, adjusting the tie strings, hardly moving his lips to speak like most ex-cons—he had had four years' hard labor in the Australian outback for claim jumping: \"In for a penny, in for a fuckin' quid.\"\n\nThe American grinned suddenly, more at ease. \"I hope there's more than a quid's worth, old buddy...\"\n\nYoshi watched them. When he was satisfied he motioned to Misamoto. \"Take them with you and wait in the courtyard.\"\n\nOnce they had gone, after bowing correctly without assistance this time, he sent everyone out of hearing range, except Inejin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sit down, old friend.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He motioned to the steps where the old man could sit comfortably—his left hip crushed in a fall from a horse, making it impossible for him to kneel. \"Good. Now, what news?\"\n\n\"Everything and nothing, Lord.\" For three centuries Inejin and his forefathers had served this branch of the Toranagas. As a hatomoto he had no fear of speaking the truth but the obligation to do so: \"The land has been worked diligently and manured properly, crops grow, but farmers say this year there will be famine even here in the Kwanto.\"\n\n\"How bad will the famine be?\"\n\n\"This year we will need rice from elsewhere to be safe, and elsewhere will be far worse.\"\n\nYoshi remembered what Hosaki had already told him, and was very glad with her foresight and prudence. And also glad to have a vassal like Inejin—rare to find a man who could be trusted implicitly, even rarer to find one who would speak truthfully, the truth based on real knowledge and not for reasons of personal aggrandizement. \"Next?\"\n\n\"All loyal samurai are seething with impatience at the impasse between Bakufu and the rebellious Outside Lords of Satsuma, Choshu and Tosa, their samurai equally discontented, mostly because of the usual problem: rates of pay fixed a century ago are causing ever greater hardship, it being ever more difficult to pay the interest on ever-increasing debts, and to buy rice and food at ever-increasing prices.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inejin was deeply aware of the problem, as the majority of his widespread family, still samurai class, were suffering badly. \"Daily the shishi gather adherents, if not openly, certainly undercover. Peasants are correctly docile, merchants not so, but all, except most merchants in Yokohama and Nagasaki, would like the gai-jin expelled.\"\n\n\"And sonno-joi?\"\n\nAfter a pause the old man said, \"Like many things on earth, Lord, that battle cry is part right, part wrong. All Japanese detest gai-jin—worse than Chinese, worse than Koreans—all want them gone, all revere the Son of Heaven and believe His wish to expel them correct policy. Of your twenty men here tonight, I believe twenty would support that part of sonno-joi. As you yourself do, providing it is the Shōgunate who wield the temporal power to effect His wishes, according to procedures laid down by Shōgun Toranaga.\"\n\n\"Quite correct,\" Yoshi agreed, but in his innermost heart he knew that if he had had the power he would never have allowed the first Treaty, so never a need for the Emperor to interfere in Shōgunate matters, and would never have allowed mean-minded men surrounding the Son of Heaven to misguide Him.\n\nEven so, contrary to sonno-joi, if he had power, now he would invite some of the gai-jin in while he had time. But only on his terms. And only for the trade he desired. It is only with fleets and guns like theirs, he thought, that we can deny them our land, expel them from our seas, and at last fulfill our historic destiny to place the Emperor on the Dragon Throne of China. And then, with their millions and our bushido, the whole gai-jin world will obey. \"Go on, Inejin.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There's not much more that you do not already know, Lord. Many fear the boy Shōgun will never be a man, many are disturbed by the less than wise Council, many are shocked that your prudent advice against his journey to Kyōto as a supplicant was overridden, many regret that you do not control the roju to force necessary changes: the Bakufu made corruptless, clever—and to stop the rot.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"Please excuse me for being long-winded. May I say how honored I am by your visit.\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The Shōgun is the Shōgun,\" Yoshi said curtly, \"and all must support him and his Council. He is our liege Lord and must be supported as such.\"\n\n\"I completely agree, Sire, I merely report samurai opinion as best I can. Few want the Bakufu and Shōgunate cast out. Only a handful of numbskulls believe the Emperor could rule Nippon without the Shōgunate. Even amongst shishi few really believe the Shōgunate should be ended.\"\n\n\"So?\"\n\n\"The solution is obvious: somehow a strong hand must take control and rule as Shōgun Toranaga ruled.\" Inejin eased his leg more comfortably. \"Please excuse me for being long-winded. May I say how honored I am by your visit.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Inejin,\" Yoshi said thoughtfully. \"No news of any daimyos collecting forces against us?\"\n\n\"Not mobilizing, Lord, not in this area, though I hear Sanjiro has all Satsuma on a war footing.\"\n\n\"And Choshu?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not yet, but Ogama has again reinforced his garrison troops holding the Gates, and increased the number of shore batteries on the Shimonoseki.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah! His Dutch armorers?\"\n\nInejin nodded. \"Spies tell me they train his gunners, and make four cannon a month in the new Choshu arsenal. These are rushed to redoubts. Soon the Straits will be impregnable.\"\n\nThat's good and bad, Yoshi thought—good to have that option, bad that it is in enemy hands. \"Ogama plans to step up attacks on shipping?\"\n\n\"I am told for the moment, no. But he has ordered his batteries to destroy all gai-jin shipping and close the Straits permanently when he sends them a code word.\" Inejin bent forward and said softly, \"'Crimson Sky.'\"\n\nYoshi gasped. \"The same that Shōgun Toranaga used?\"\n\n\"That's what was whispered.\"\n\nYoshi's mind was in a whirl. Does that mean, like my forebear, Ogama is going to launch an equally sudden and all embracing surprise attack—supreme power again being the prize?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Can you get proof?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In time. But that is the present code word. As to Ogama's real plan...\" Inejin shrugged." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He has the Gates now. If he could persuade Sanjiro to pledge allegiance to him...\"\n\nThe silence grew. \"You've done very well.\"\n\n\"Another interesting fact, Sire. Lord Anjo has a disease of the stomach.\" Inejin's eyes lit up even more seeing Yoshi's immediate interest. \"A friend of a friend who I trust tells me he has secretly consulted a Chinese doctor. The disease is the decaying disease and cannot be cured.\"\n\nYoshi grunted, part from pleasure, part from an ice pick of anxiety that he might contract the same—who knows how or from where—or have it already in his innards, waiting to fell him. \"How long will he live?\"\n\n\"Months, perhaps a year, not more. But you should be doubly on guard, Sire, because my informant says that while the body rots with no outward blemishes, the mind does not, just twists into dangerously implacable routes.\"\n\nLike the stupid decision to permit the Princess to dominate, Yoshi thought, his head buzzing with what he had been told. \"Next?\"\n\n\"Next, Sire, about the shishi who attacked and assassinated Lord Utani and his paramour. They were led by the same Choshu shishi who attacked Lord Anjo—Hiraga.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The one whose likeness was sent to all barriers?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, Sire, Rezan Hiraga, at least that's what the captured shishi said the man's name was before dying. It is probably false. Another of his aliases is Otami.\"\n\n\"You have caught him?\" Yoshi said hopefully.\n\n\"No, Sire, not yet, and unfortunately we have lost all trace of him so he must be elsewhere. Possibly Kyōto.\" Inejin dropped his voice even more. \"Rumor has it there is going to be another shishi attack in Kyōto. Many are believed to be collecting there. Many of them.\"\n\n\"What sort of attack? An assassination?\"\n\n\"No one knows yet. Possibly another coup attempt. The shishi leader with a code name, 'the Raven,' is said to have issued the summons. I am trying to find out who he is.\"\n\n\"Good. One way or another shishi must be wiped out.\" Yoshi thought a moment. \"Could their venom be directed against Ogama, or Sanjiro, the Emperor's real enemies?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Difficult, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Have you discovered who told the shishi about Utani? About his secret tryst?\"\n\nAfter a pause Inejin said, \"It was the Lady's maid, Sire, who whispered to the mama-san who whispered to them.\"\n\nYoshi sighed. \"And the Lady?\"\n\n\"The Lady appears to be blameless, Sire.\"\n\nYoshi sighed again, pleased that Koiko was not involved, but deep inside, he was unconvinced. \"The maid is with us now—I will deal with her. Make sure the mama-san suspects nothing, she will be dealt with when I return. Have you discovered the other spy, the one feeding gai-jin with information?\"\n\n\"Not for certain, Sire. I'm told the traitor is, or his alias is, Ori. I don't know his full name but he's a Satsuma shishi, one of Sanjiro's men, one of the two Tokaidō killers.\"\n\n\"Inept to kill one when four were such easy targets. Where is the traitor now?\"\n\n\"Somewhere in the Yokohama Settlement, Sire. He has become a secret confidant of both the young English interpreter and the Frenchman you told me about.\"\n\n\"Ah, him too.\" Yoshi thought a moment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Silence this Ori at once.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"Thank you, but the night is good so I will go on at once. There's much to do at Dragon's Tooth. Captain!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inejin bowed, accepting the order. \"Next?\"\n\n\"That ends my report.\"\n\n\"Thank you. You have done well.\" Yoshi finished the tea, deep in thought. Moonlight cast strange shadows.\n\nThe old man broke the silence. \"Your bath is prepared, Sire, and you must be hungry. Everything is ready.\"\n\n\"Thank you, but the night is good so I will go on at once. There's much to do at Dragon's Tooth. Captain!\"\n\nQuickly everyone assembled—Koiko and her maid hastily changed back into travelling clothes and she reentered her palanquin. With due deference, Inejin, his household, maids and servants bowed their guest on his way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about all the food we prepared?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'through' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "his wife, a round-faced, tiny woman, also of samurai descent, asked hesitantly, delicacies she had hastily but correctly bought at vast cost to tempt their liege lord on this sudden visit—more than three months of their profit for the single meal.\n\n\"We will eat it.\" Inejin watched the cortege trotting away through the sleeping village until it was gone. \"It was good to see him, a great honor.\"\n\n\"Yes,\" she said, and dutifully followed him back inside.\n\nThe night was gentle, enough moonlight to see by. Beyond the village the dirt road twisted northwards through the trees, villages every few miles, all the land around well explored by Yoshi since childhood. It was quiet. No one journeyed at this time of night, except robbers, ronin or elite. They forded a brook, the land more open here. On the other side he called a halt, beckoning the Captain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sire?\" the Captain asked." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 2 instance(s) of the word 'gates'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To their growing excitement, Yoshi twisted in his saddle and pointed east and south, back towards the coast. \"I am changing my plan,\" he said as though it were a sudden decision and not one planned over many days. \"Now we go that way, to the Tokaidō, but we bypass the first three barriers, then cut back onto the road just after dawn.\"\n\nThere was no need to ask where they were heading. \"Forced march, Sire?\"\n\n\"Yes. No further talking. Lead off!\" A hundred and twenty leagues, ten or eleven days, he thought. Then Kyōto and the Gates. My Gates." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the late afternoon of the same day Hiraga ducked into the lee of a shack on the edge of Drunk Town where a small, grimy sailor waited nervously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Gimme the money, mate,\" the man said." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'hiraga' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You got it, eh?\"\n\n\"Yes. Gun, p'rease?\"\n\n\"One day you's a toff, now you's a poxy nuffink.\" The man was grizzly-faced and suspicious, a wicked knife in his belt, another in a forearm holster. When Hiraga had first talked to him on the beach, he had been wearing his Tyrer-arranged clothes. Today he wore a dirty laborer's woolen smock, coarse trousers and scuffed boots. \"Wot's yor game?\"\n\nHiraga shrugged, not understanding him. \"Gun, p'rease.\"\n\n\"Gun, is it? I's the gun right enough.\" The shifty little eyes darted around, across the weed-infested, scrap heap strewn area between Drunk Town and the Japanese village—called No Man's Land by the locals—but could sense no alien watchers. \"Where's brass?\" he said sullenly. \"The money, for crissake, the Mex!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'money' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga reached into the pocket of the smock, everything feeling uncomfortable and outlandish, the clothes bought especially for today. Three Mexican silver dollars glittered in his hand. \"Gun, p'rease.\"\n\nImpatiently the sailor reached into his shirt and showed the Colt. \"You gets it when I gets the money.\"\n\n\"Bu'rret, p'rease?\"\n\nA filthy rag from the man's trouser pocket revealed a dozen or so cartridges. \"A bargin's a bargin and me word's me word.\" The sailor reached for the money but before he could take it Hiraga's hand closed.\n\n\"Not sto'ren, yes?\"\n\n\"'Course not stolen, come on, for crissake!\"\n\nHiraga opened his fist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Greedily the coins were grabbed and examined carefully to ensure they were not clipped or forged, all the time the crafty eyes darting this way and that. When he was satisfied he passed over the Colt and bullets and got up. \"Don't get caught with it, matey, or you'll swing: 'course it's stolen.\" He leered and scuttled away like the rat he resembled.\n\nHiraga hunched down as he went back to the comparative safety of the Japanese village—safe only so long as the riffraff and drunks did not decide to rampage. There were no police or sentries to protect the villagers. Only an occasional naval or army patrol passed along their main street and these men rarely took their side in any ruckus.\n\nIt had taken Hiraga many days to arrange the purchase—naturally he could not ask Tyrer's assistance. No one in the Yoshiwara possessed one. Raiko had said queasily: \"Only gai-jin have them, Hiraga-san, so sorry. Dangerous for civilized person to be caught with one.\"\n\nAkimoto said with a grin, \"If my cousin wants one, then get him one, Raiko! You can do anything, neh,? For payment I will take you to bed without fee...\" He ducked as she threw a cushion at him, laughing with him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raiko said, fanning herself, \"Ah, Hiraga-san, so sorry, I beg you to take this naughty man away, two of my girls have already demanded a day off to soothe their yin from the onslaught of his yang...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "When they were alone, Akimoto said seriously, \"Perhaps you should change your mind, forget the gun. Let me try and persuade Ori to meet us here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga shook his head, glad for the company of his good-natured cousin. \"Ori has a gun, he will use it against us the moment he sees us. I have tried every way to snare him out of Drunk Town and failed. If I ambush him with a gun there, it will seem a gai-jin did it. Any day he will try to get at that girl again and then I'm finished here.\"\n\n\"Perhaps he will tire of waiting. Every man in the village has been told to watch out for him, and no one is to sneak him in by sea.\"\n\n\"Who dare trust a villager?\"\n\nAkimoto said heavily, \"Then when you get a gun, let me do it.\" He was much bigger than Hiraga, who had not recognized him when he arrived, since he too had cut his hair in similar fashion.\n\nEventually Hiraga had accosted the sailor on the beach, pretending to be a visiting Chinese trader from Hong Kong and had struck a deal, his only proviso that the gun should not be stolen. But of course it would be stolen...\n\nAkimoto was waiting for him in their dwelling in a village alley they now rented by the month. \"Eeee, Cousin, please excuse me,\" he said, laughing, \"no need to ask if you got it, but you look so funny in those clothes, if our shishi comrades could see you...\"\n\nHiraga shrugged. \"This way I can pass for any of the gai-jin coolies, wherever they come from. All kinds of gai-jin and coolies dress like this in Drunk Town.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He eased himself more comfortably, sore in the crotch. \"I cannot understand how they can wear such heavy clothes and cramping trousers and tight coats all the time—and when it's hot, eeee, they're terrible, and you sweat a fountain.\" While he talked he checked the action of the Colt, testing its weight, aiming it. \"It's heavy.\"\n\n\"Saké?\"\n\n\"Thank you, then I think I will rest till sunset.\" He loaded the revolver, swigged some saké and lay down, pleased with himself. His eyes closed. He began to meditate. When at peace he let himself drift. In moments he slept. At sunset he awoke. Akimoto was still on guard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked out of the tiny window." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No storm or rain tonight,\" he said, then pulled out a scarf and tied it around his head as he had seen low-class gai-jin and sailors do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly Akimoto was filled with dread. \"And now?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Now,\" he said, hiding the gun under his belt, \"now for Ori. If I do not return, you kill him.\"\n\nMost villagers on the streets did not recognize him, the few who did bowed nervously as to a gai-jin and not a samurai, as they had been ordered. To most gai-jin eyes, in his European attire he would be just another Eurasian or Chinese trader from Hong Kong or Shanghai or Manila, the quality of his clothes and bearing foretelling his position and wealth: \"But never forget, Nakama-san,\" Tyrer had warned him continually, \"however rich you appear, smart clothes won't protect you from harassment or insults from riffraff if you go alone into Drunk Town, or anywhere.\"\n\nThe first time he had gone looking for Ori, the moment the shoya had told him Ori had disobeyed him, he had stormed into Drunk Town wearing his Tyrer clothes. Almost at once he had been cornered by a rowdy group of drunks who surrounded him, jeering and cursing him, then started to attack. Only his skill in karate, still an unknown art to gai-jin, had saved him and he had retreated, seething, two broken heads and another man crippled in his wake.\n\n\"Find out exactly where Ori is! At once,\" he had told the shoya. \"What he's doing and how he's living!\"\n\nThe next evening the shoya drew a rough map: \"The house is here, on this corner facing the sea, near some wharfs. It is a drinking-sleeping house for very low persons. Ori-san rents a room, paying double, I was told. Very bad that place, Hiraga-san, always full of evil men. You cannot go there without a special plan. It is important he is sent away?\"\n\n\"Yes. Your village is at risk with him here.\"\n\n\"So ka!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two days later the shoya told him that, in the night, the Ori house had burned down, the remains of three men had been found in the ruins." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I was told 'the native' was one, Hiraga-san,\" the shoya said easily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A pity the whole foul area was not destroyed too, and every gai-jin in it.\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\nSo life became calm again. Hiraga continued to spend time with Tyrer, content to learn and to teach, unaware how vastly important and informative his knowledge was to Tyrer, Sir William and Jamie McFay. For half a day he had gone aboard the British frigate with Tyrer. The experience had shaken him and made him more determined than ever to find out how these people he despised could invent and make such unbelievable machines and warships, how such despicable people of such a tiny island, smaller than Nippon—if again Tyrer was to be believed—could have acquired the vast wealth necessary to possess so many ships and armies and factories and, at the same time, rule all sea-lanes and much of the gai-jin world.\n\nThat night, he had drunk himself to insensibility, his mind disoriented, uplifted one second, in the abyss the next, his kernel of belief in the absolute invincibility of bushido and the Land of the Gods badly mauled.\n\nMost evenings he would spend with Akimoto in the Yoshiwara, or their village haunt, planning and sharing his gai-jin knowledge though keeping the extent of his disquiet hidden, but always strengthening his net around Tyrer, toying with him: \"Ah, so sorry, Tairasan, Fujiko contract take many weeks, Raiko hard trader, contract expensive, she have many c'rients, many, so sorry she busy tonight, perhaps tomorrow...\"\n\nA little over two weeks ago, to Hiraga's fury, the shoya had discovered Ori had not died in the fire: \"... and oh, so sorry, Hiraga-san, but I'm told now Ori-san has become suddenly wealthy, spending money like a daimyo. Now he has several rooms in another drinking house.\"\n\n\"Ori rich? How is that possible?\"\n\n\"So sorry, I don't know, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But you do know where his new house is?\"\n\n\"Yes, Sire, here—here is the map, so sorry th—\"\n\n\"Never mind,\" Hiraga had said furiously. \"Tonight burn him out again.\"\n\n\"So sorry, Hiraga-san, that is no longer easy.\" The shoya was outwardly penitent, inwardly just as furious that his first and immediate solution to the mad ronin had not achieved the purpose he had paid for. \"It is no longer easy because this house is isolated and it seems he has many bodyguards, gai-jin bodyguards!\"\n\nIcily Hiraga had considered the consequences. He sent a honeyed letter to Ori by one of the villagers who sold fish in Drunk Town, saying how delighted he was to hear Ori was alive and not dead in the dreadful fire as he had heard, also that he was prospering and could they meet in the Yoshiwara that evening as Akimoto also wanted to discuss shishi matters of great importance.\n\nOri had replied by letter at once: \"Not in the Yoshiwara or anywhere, not until our sonno-joi plan is done, the girl is dead and the Settlement burned. Before that if you, Akimoto or any other traitor comes near you will be shot.\"\n\nAkimoto said, \"He knows the fire was not an accident.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course. Where would he get money?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Only by stealing it, neh?\"\n\nOther messages only brought the same answer. A poison plot had failed. So he had bought the gun and made a plan. Now it was time and tonight perfect. The last rays of sunset guided him across No Man's Land and along the fetid streets that were pocked with dangerous potholes. The few men who passed him hardly looked at him except to curse him out of the way." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori reached haphazardly into the small sack of coins on the table beside the bed and pulled one out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a clipped Mex, now worth half of its normal value." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Though still five times her agreed price, he handed it to the naked woman." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes lit up, she bobbed a curtsey, mumbling abject thanks again and again, \"Yore a proper gent, ta, luv.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He watched absently as she wriggled into her tattered old dress, astonished that he was here, repelled by everything about this room and bed and house and place, and the pallid, bony gai-jin body and slack buttocks he had fantasized would allay the fire maddening him, but had only made his need worse, in no way comparing with her.\n\nThe woman paid no attention to him now. Her job was done except to mumble the customary thanks and lies about his performance—in his case not lies, for what his organ lacked in size was made up with strength and vigor—and to get away and keep her newfound wealth without further trouble. Her dress hung on her thin, bare shoulders to trail on the threadbare carpet, partly covering the rough wooden floorboards. Torn petticoat, no drawers. Lank brownish hair and heavy rouge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked forty and was nineteen, a street urchin born in Hong Kong to unknown parents, and sold into a Wanchai House eight years ago by her foster mother. \"You want me back termorrer? Termorrow?\"\n\nHe shrugged and pointed to the door, his wounded arm healed and as good as it would ever be, never with the same strength, or quickness with a sword, but good enough against an average swordsman, and good enough with a gun. His derringer was on the table and never far from his hand.\n\nThe woman forced a smile and backed away, mouthing thanks, glad to get away without a beating or having to endure the foul practices she had feared. \"Don' you worry, Gerty,\" her madam had told her, \"Chinermen're like any others, sometimes a bit picky, but this bugger's rich so just give 'im wot he wants, give it to 'im quick, he's rich so give it good.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was little extra she had had to do, other than to endure his frantic battering with stoicism and necessary grunts of feigned pleasure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ta again, luv.\" She went out, the Mex secreted in the soiled bodice that hardly covered her flaccid breasts, another coin, a twentieth of its value, clutched in her hand.\n\nOn the landing outside was Timee, a rough Eurasian seaman of mixed but predominately Chinese blood. He shut the door and grabbed her. \"Shut yor gob, you poxy whore,\" he hissed, forcing her hand open to take the coin, then cursed her in Chinese and guttural English for the poorness of her earnings: \"Ayeeyah, why didn't you please the Guv?\" Then he cuffed her and she half stumbled, half fell down the stairs, but when safe, turned and cursed with even more venom. \"I'll tell Ma Fortheringill 'bout yer, she'll do yer!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Timee spat after her, knocked and reopened the door. \"Musume gud, Guv, heya?\" he asked unctuously.\n\nNow Ori sat at an old table by the window. He wore a rough shirt and breeches with bare legs and feet, his short sword-knife in a belt holster. The money sack was on the table. He saw the narrowed eyes staring at it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carelessly he found another Mex and tossed it. The heavy-shouldered man caught it expertly, touched his forelock and smirked, his few remaining teeth broken and yellowed. \"Thankee, Guv. Grub?\" He rubbed his big belly. \"Grub, wakarimasu ka?\" Their communication was with sign language and a little pidgin, and he was chief bodyguard. Another watched downstairs in the bar. A third in the alley." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ori shook his head." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No,\" he said, using one of the words he had picked up, then added, \"Beer-u,\" and waved him away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alone at last he stared out of the window. The glass was cracked and fly encrusted, a corner missing, opening on to the drab facade of another ramshackle, wooden hostel opposite, ten yards away. The air smelt dank and his skin felt filthy, and crawled at the thought of that woman's body in sweating close contact, with no chance for a civilized Japanese bath afterwards though he could easily have had one in the village, a couple of hundred yards away across No Man's Land.\n\nBut to do that you risk Hiraga and his spies who will be waiting, he thought, Hiraga and Akimoto and all villagers who deserve to be crucified like common criminals for trying to prevent my grand design. Scum! All of them. Daring to try to burn me to death, daring to poison the fish—eeee, karma that the cat stole it before I could stop the beast and, in moments, died retching instead of me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since then he had eaten sparingly, and only rice that he cooked himself in a pot in the grate, with a little meat or fish stew made for the other boarders and bar customers that he made Timee taste in front of him as a further protection.\n\nThe food's foul, this place foul, that woman foul and I can only wait a few more days before I go mad. Then his eyes noticed the money bag. His lips moved from his teeth in a vicious smile.\n\nThe night of the fire in the other hovel he had been sleeping on a cot in a tiny, squalid alcove in the back of the bar that had cost him the last of his money. Long before others in the hostel awoke, his danger senses honed in a score of fires since childhood had warned him, tearing him out of sleep, to find flames were already licking the wooden stairs above, and to see another gourd of oil with a burning rag in its neck being hurled into the main barroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A hysterical dog bounded down the stairs and joined two cats frantically seeking escape and the three animals began charging around the room, crashing into bottles of spirits that, smashing on the cobbled floor, nourished the blaze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Screams and uproar began from the crowded floor above. Half-naked men started cascading down the stairs in panic, flames licking at them as they fled into the street.\n\nThe stairs caught. Then a sudden tongue of flame soared upwards along the tinder-dry walls and banister. The barroom was blinding hot, the air seared as a heat-generated wind roared the fire into an implacable killer. The sides of the front door began to burn furiously, the flames almost barring it. More men rushed pell-mell down the stairs, screaming, tripping over one another in panic through the flames to the outside, some already with parts of their hastily donned clothes on fire." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'safety' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only minutes had passed since the arson began but now the fire was in total command and the building doomed.\n\nIn his cubbyhole Ori was unafraid, fire drilled, safely out of the billowing smoke, hugging the floor, his mouth already covered with a beer-soaked rag, his emergency escape route automatically docketed the moment he had gone into the room. Safety lay always in refusing to panic, and this time through a small, shuttered window across the barroom, well away from the burning stairs that let out onto the back alley.\n\nHe was just about to sprint away when he saw the corpulent proprietor in nightshirt and tasseled hat with other terrified men fighting down the stairs, an iron safety box tight under his arm. Furiously this man shoved another out of his path into the flames only to have the same flames convert him into a screaming torch and tumble him with two others into the blazing ruins of the stairway as it collapsed, cutting off any further escape from above. The box flew out of his helpless arms to skitter across the floor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One badly burned man staggered out of the fire for the doorway." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Flames greedily consumed the proprietor and the two other men and seemed to reach for the box, equally greedily.\n\nWithout hesitation Ori rushed through the flames, grabbed it up and charged for the window, easily bursting the rotting shutters apart and was out safely into the fresh air and back alley. At once he ducked down and ran for the fence opposite, scaled it and, still keeping low, wormed through the trash and weeds of No Man's Land towards the abandoned well.\n\nOnce there, chest heaving, he looked back warily. Flames from the hostel soared into the sky. Men milled about, shouting and cursing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two men jumped from the upper windows. Others with buckets of water were dousing adjoining shacks and buildings, bellowing for help.\n\nHe had not been noticed.\n\nWhile the noise covered him, he found a broken crowbar and prized off the lid of the box, dismissing the swarming mosquitoes and night insects. The treasure inside made him throb. Quickly he stuffed two bags of coins into the pocket of his breeches, another into his smock shirt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With great care he buried the dozen or so other bags and, in a different place, did the same with the box.\n\nThe next morning he wandered Drunk Town until he found a more isolated rooming house that was far from the burned-out wreck. Ten Mex in the owner's hand, and the weight of the bag that remained, brought him immediate, unctuous service, a big room of his choice. The owner, a man with deep-set, brilliant blue eyes—just like hers, he had thought, a sudden shaft in his loins—had pointed at the bag: \"You'll be bushwhacked wiv that lot, young woggeroo.\"\n\nOri had not understood the words. The man's meaning soon became clear and produced Timee." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Also that if Timee was well paid, and the owner well paid, Ori would be safe here or on the street, and when out, his room would be sacrosanct." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As an insurance, knowing the danger of putting his trust in these men, with more sign language and patience Ori had made it also clear that these two bags were only a small part of his wealth that was safely under guard in the village, which he was ready to spend lavishly for protection and anything else he required.\n\n\"Yor the Guv, you name it and you can 'ave it. Me name's Bonzer and I'm Australian.\" Like almost everyone in Drunk Town, he scratched constantly at flea and lice bites, his teeth few and twisted, and he stank. \"'Guv?' That means Ichiban!, Number one. Wakarimasu ka?\"\n\n\"Hai, domo.\"\n\nThe door opened, dispelling his thought pattern." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Timee brought him a tankard of beer." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Guv, I'm getting me grub now.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He coughed. \"Grub, food, wakarimasu ka?\"\n\n\"Hai.\" The beer quenched Ori's thirst but did not settle his mind or compare with beer of the village. Or at home in Satsuma or in the Yoshiwara, or at Kanagawa's Inn of the Midnight Blossoms. Or anywhere.\n\nI must be going mad, he thought, bewildered. That gai-jin whore with her toad belly skin and fish smell was worse than the worst old hag I've ever had, yet I enjoyed the Clouds and the Rain twice and wanted more and more.\n\nWhat is it about them?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it their blue eyes and white skin and fair brown pubics—in those that whore was not much different from her, in all else, yes. Unconsciously his fingers toyed with the cross that he wore, half hidden around his neck. His lips curled in a crooked smile. In the tunnel he had tricked Hiraga. The piece of metal he had thrown was the last of his gold oban. I'm glad I kept her cross—to remind me constantly." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga saw him at once. He was on the other side of the busy dirt street, sitting on a bench outside a dingy bar. In front of him was an untouched gourd of beer and around were noisy men, drinking or standing or dead drunk on benches, or heading homewards for their dormitories or rooming houses, or favorite bar or gambling rooms that crowded together here in a slum as bad or worse than any in London town. The men were a polyglot of European, Asian and mixed-race laborers and workers, armed with at least a knife and dressed similarly to him, coming from their day's toil in sail-making shops or ship's chandlers, or mechanics from the machine shops, a new profession, or from any one of the dozens of services to do with ships. Along with beggars and bums were bakers and butchers and brewers and moneylenders and others who supported this part of Yokohama or fed off it, separate from the village and \"Nob Town\" as they all called the traders' sector, by mutual consent.\n\n\"In Drunk Town,\" Tyrer had explained to him, \"there are perhaps a hundred and fifty souls, most are drifters. They've few rules. It's every man for himself but woe betide anyone caught stealing, the immediate mob would beat him half to death. They've no law except army and navy patrols searching for deserters, or just trying to keep the peace between the services, breaking up fights or riots. Beer and gin parlors—gin's a rotgut that will kill if you're not careful—they're open as long as there're customers, so are the gambling dens. Don't try any of them or Ma Fortheringill's, she loathes Japanese because of our cut-rate Yoshiwara—bless it! At the far end, near the South Gate, off Hog Lane, is the worst part of Drunk Town. I've never been there, best stay away from it too, that's where the most depraved and lost try to survive. Opium, beggars, scum, male prostitutes. Abattoir. Cemetery. Disease. And multitudes of rats...\"\n\nThe little that Hiraga had understood had made him want, even more, to see everything for himself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tonight was his first opportunity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Except for a few absent curses that would apply to anyone, no one bothered him as he trailed Ori easily, just enough light in the darkening sky.\n\nHis prey meandered towards the shore, seemingly without purpose and without any of the bodyguards he had been warned against. His excitement notched higher. The revolver in his pocket felt good to his touch. His fingers ached to grip it and aim it and pull the trigger to end the menace to his future here, then to begin his controlled retreat to safety through No Man's Land, or along the beach to the Legation.\n\nNow they were nearing the small main square beside the promenade and shore where bars and eating and rooming houses fought for custom. This was the far end of the Settlement, the narrowest part, and jammed between the sea and encircling fence where the South Gate was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As at the North Gate, the fence was strong and high and went into the surf." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only opening was the barricaded guarded South Gate.\n\nThe square was clogged. Mostly British soldiers, sailors, and merchant seamen with a few French, American and Russians, and Eurasians. Ori eased through them to stand on the edge of the promenade. He stared at the sea. The sea had a three-foot swell and was black and greasy. North wards, half a mile away, he could see the lights of the trading houses coming on, and in the French Legation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And in the upper story of Struan's, which, with Brock's, dominated the waterfront." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Use the word 'earth' 3 time(s) - this is a strict requirement" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tonight? Should I try tonight?\n\nHis feet began to take him that way. A sudden rumbling and the sound like that of an express train just a few feet below the surface rushed at them, the earth heaved and with everyone else in the square, he tottered, nauseated, and went down on his hands and knees, holding on to the earth as it shook and rose and fell and stopped. A moment of silence that seemed to shriek to the skies. Now a few whimpers and shouts and curses that were cut short as another shock took them. Again the earth reared, not as bad as before but bad enough, and the shakes went on and on and heaved and shuddered and stopped. Tiles cascaded off a roof." }, { "from": "human", "value": "People scuttled or crawled to safety." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence again that was almost palpable, men silent, gulls silent, animals silent. Earth waiting, everything waiting. Hugging the ground, praying, cursing, praying. Waiting.\n\n\"Is it over, for God's sake?\" someone called out.\n\n\"Yes...\"\n\n\"No...\"\n\n\"Wait, I th—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another rumble. Wails of fear." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The noise peaked, the earth twisted and cried out and became still again. Several shacks collapsed. Shouts for help. No one moved.\n\nAgain everyone held their breath. Waiting. Moans and prayers and whimpers and supplications and curses. Waiting for the next one. The big one. Waiting, but nothing more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Moments that became an eternity of waiting. Then Ori sensed that it was over and got up, the first in the square, heart dancing that he was not dead this time, that he was alive and untouched and safely reborn but instinctively ready for the next danger, an immediate dash from fire that was a normal aftermath and the greatest hazard to be endured. Every earthquake was someone's nemesis, a rebirth for all others and, from time immemorial, to be treated as such by those who lived in the Land of the Gods that was also called the Land of Tears.\n\nAbruptly Ori's stomach had a quake of its own and fell away. Across the square, above the mass of people still grounded, many retching and cursing, he saw Hiraga standing alone watching him. Fifty yards behind Hiraga most of the samurai guards were also on their feet—some studying the two of them curiously.\n\nAt almost the same instant that Ori had sensed the earthquake had ended and had jumped up, Hiraga and the samurai had spontaneously done the same, experiencing identical, ecstatic relief and rebirth, Hiraga not realizing he was on his feet until he saw Ori staring at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His face closed. At once he started towards him, the square rapidly coming to life as men noisily scrambled or staggered erect." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Blindly Ori took to his heels, but frightened, angry men, some laughing hysterically, others wailing thanks to God, barred his escape—and Hiraga's pursuit—with cries of \"Wot the devil's up with you...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Who the hell're you pushing, for crissake...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hey, he's a bloody Jappo...\"\n\nThen someone bellowed, \"fire! look!\"\n\nWith everyone else Ori looked northwards. At the other end of the promenade a building was on fire. He recognized it as the two-story Struan headquarters. Perhaps next door. Careless of anyone, Ori broke out of the throng in a rush.\n\nHiraga pushed forward after him but at that moment a nearby gin bar collapsed, scattering people into his path, sending him reeling and others trampling him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He fought to his feet amidst the uproar." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage target: 'square' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In this part of the square men were milling around aimlessly, blocking him. For a second he caught a brief sight of Ori, then the ruins of the bar began to blaze and the crowd surged backwards again, engulfing him.\n\nWhen Hiraga had recovered his balance, Ori was obscured, and as much as he tried to force a path in the direction of his last sighting, the less progress he could make and the more furious the crowd became: \"Who you pushin', for crissake!... It's another bleeding Jappo... Give the bugger wot for...\"\n\nBy the time he had placated them and retreated and circled, finding a path out to the edge of the square, Ori was not running down the promenade as he had expected, heading for the fire, nor was he going by way of the beach—but had truly vanished." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In Struan's, Jamie McFay was running up the stairs in the semidarkness amid cries of alarm and \"Fire!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "an oil lamp swinging in his hand, only the chandelier alight in the whole staircase area and it still swayed drunkenly from the shocks. He gained the landing and ran down the corridor to burst Struan's door open. \"Tai-pan, are you all right?\"\n\nThe room was in shadow but for an ominous flickering glow that danced on the window curtains. Struan lay on the floor, dazed, half dressed for dinner, shaking his head to try to clear it, both oil lamps shattered, the open wick of one that was hidden by the bureau sputtered on the oil-drenched carpet. \"Think so,\" he gasped. \"Must have hit my head when I got knocked over. Christ Almighty, Angelique!\"\n\n\"Here, let me help you...\"\n\n\"I can manage, check her, Jamie!\"\n\nJamie tried the handle to the connecting door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bolted on the other side." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At that moment the carpet ignited, Struan scrambled out of the way, cursing with pain, but before the blaze could spread Jamie had stamped it out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In his haste to help Struan out of the way, he dragged him up roughly.\n\n\"Oh, Jesus, watch it, Jamie!\"\n\n\"Sorry, sorry, I didn't—\"\n\n\"Never mind,\" Struan panted, a stabbing pain in his side where he had fallen heavily, more throbbing in his stomach where there was none before and the usual under the healed but angry scar. \"Where's the fire?\"\n\n\"I don't know, I was downstairs wh—\"\n\n\"Later—Angelique!\"\n\nJamie ran into the corridor, smoke from the far end of the corridor making him cough. He banged on her door then tried the handle—again bolted on the inside. His shoulder smashed into the wood near the jamb and the door flew open. Her boudoir was empty, one oil lamp was on its side still alight, oil dripping onto the curtained bureau, another shattered on the floor, more oil everywhere." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He doused the burning wick and ran into the bedroom." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was propped in the four-poster, as pale as her peignoir, eyes fixed on the swaying oil chandelier that was incongruously, merrily alight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You all right, Angelique?\"\n\n\"Oh, Jamie...\" she said hesitantly, her voice sounding far away. \"Yes, I'm—I was just—just lying down before dressing for dinner then the room started rocking. I—I thought I was dreaming then the lamps shattered and... mon Dieu, it was the noise of the building shifting that frightened me the most... Oh, is Malcolm...\"\n\n\"Yes, best get dressed quick as you can. Hurr—\"\n\nThe fire alarm bell at the nearly Harbor Master's office began tolling, startling them. With sudden apprehension she smelt the smoke and heard the muffled shouts from outside and saw the glow through the window curtains and gasped, \"We're on fire?\"\n\n\"Not to worry for the moment but best get dressed quick as you can and come next door, I'll unbolt the connecting door.\" He hurried out. She slid out of bed. Under her peignoir she wore pantaloons and a boned chemise. Hastily she stepped into her crinoline that was already laid out for her and picked up a shawl." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She's all right, Tai-pan,\" she heard Jamie say as he unbolted the connecting door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She's getting dressed, let me help you downstair—\"\n\n\"When she's ready.\"\n\nJamie started to say something, changed his mind, both of them still conscious of their lunchtime clash and neither prepared to compromise. He opened the window. In the front garden and street below, clerks and servants were milling around, Vargas amongst them, onlookers and others from the various Legations gathering, but no flames that he could see. \"Vargas!\" he shouted. \"Where's our fire?\"\n\n\"We're not sure, senhor, we think it's just part of the roof. Men with the fire captain are already there but Brock's upper story is alight.\"\n\nJamie could not see next door so he hurried back into Angelique's boudoir and pulled the curtains aside. Fire had taken a good hold of the front of Brock's—a two-story structure similar to Struan's—where the main bedrooms would be. Smoke billowed from the open windows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He could see teams of men passing along pails of water, trying to douse the fire, Norbert Greyforth supervising—the Brock fire teams drilled as often and as ruthlessly as he himself had drilled Struan's." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'father' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whipped by the breeze, flames were being dragged with the smoke to reach across the gap.\n\nJust my luck to be burned out by their godrotting fire, he thought sourly then leaned out of the window. \"Vargas,\" he shouted, \"get men and water up here—douse this side! When we're clear, help Norbert.\" I hope the bugger burns and all of Brock's with him, that'd solve the stupid duel for all time.\n\nThere were no other fires that he could see from here, other than one far down the promenade in Drunk Town and two in the Yoshiwara. The smell of burning wood and oil and clothing and the tar that they used on the roofs overpowered everything, though there was a taste of sea salt on the breeze. Inexorably his attention went back to the flames from Brock's that sought them. The wind pushed the flames closer. He willed them to die, afraid of fire—the croft that he had been born in had burned one foul winter night when he was a child, his father dead drunk as usual and his younger brother consumed, he and his mother and sister barely escaping with their lives and little else, soon to go to the work house and vile years until they were rescued by Campbell Struan, kinsman of Dirk Struan, on whose land his father had toiled.\n\n\"Vargas! Hurry up, for Christ's sake!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Coming, senhor!\"\n\nNow the promenade was packed, everyone in the streets ready to help and give advice, others with much shouting forming a water bucket line from the huge fire tank of sea water that was within easy reach, army units from the tented barracks joining the throng. Samurai were running towards them from the North Gate to help—any fire a threat to them also. Southwards, and on the other side of the canal, one of the Yoshiwara Houses was burning brightly, more cries and alarm drifting on the wind, but that blaze seemed contained and not a major danger and, thankfully, nowhere near where Nemi would be.\n\nThe sweat was pouring down his back. He felt sick with relief that Malcolm was safe. Since lunch he had been brooding in his office, furious his search for prospectors had leaked, beside himself with worry over the duel, and his future. Never once had he conceived he would ever be involved in such a quarrel, or be forced to leave the Noble House, or Japan, except for ill health or an accident, before retiring in five years at the ripe age of forty-four after twenty-five good years of service, rung by rung. Now, with Malcolm alienated, and Tess Struan furious with him, his promotion, retirement—his whole future was in jeopardy.\n\nWhat to do, he had been worrying, then the shocks turned the world upside down, his precarious mortality had been rammed home to him again and then, when the jolts had ceased and he could reel to his feet, his glands and the memory of the debts he and his family owed the Struans had sent him scurrying upstairs, petrified for Malcolm's safety—after all he was in charge and this youth little more than an invalid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tai-pan? Sorry, Malcolm, Norbert's right, your ma's in command. If you hadn't been wounded you'd have rushed back to Hong Kong when she said, none of this would have happened, you'd be taking over the reins and in a year or so you'd—\n\n\"Jamie... could you do me up?\"\n\nBlankly he turned. Angelique was standing at the doorway, back towards him, the front of the off-the-shoulder crinoline held up and the back open. For a second he almost shouted at her, That bloody dress's crazy, for Christ's sake, we're on fire! But he did not, just hastily did up the top button and shoved a shawl around her and hurried her into the next room where she at once went into Struan's open arms. A team of men rushed past the open door with full buckets. \"Best get out, sir...\" someone shouted.\n\n\"Time to go, Tai-pan, all right?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Malcolm went for the door as quickly as he could." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With his two sticks he was slow—disastrously slow had there been a real emergency, which all three of them knew, Struan most of all. Now there was tramping above them in the attics, men pounding, the smell of smoke worse, adding to their anxiety.\n\n\"Jamie, take Angelique out, I'll make my own time.\"\n\n\"Lean on me an—\"\n\n\"For Christ's sake, do it, then come back if you must!\"\n\nJamie flushed. He took her arm and the two of them hurried out, men overtaking them with empty buckets, others staggering in with a full load.\n\nThe moment he was alone, Struan groped back to his chest of drawers, rummaged under some clothes and found the small bottle that Ah Tok had refilled this afternoon. He swigged half of the brownish liquid, recorked it and put it in the pocket of his frock coat, sighing with relief.\n\nAngelique swept down the staircase and out through the front doors. The clean air was welcome." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'moment' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Vargas!\" Jamie called out. \"Look after Miss Angelique for a moment.\"\n\n\"Certainly, senhor.\"\n\n\"Please allow me, Monsieur,\" Pierre Vervene, the French official said grandly. \"I will escort Mademoiselle Angelique to our Legation—she can wait there in safety.\"\n\n\"Thanks.\" Jamie rushed back inside.\n\nNow she could see that their roof was burning, not too badly at the moment, but not far away from their suites, the flames from Brock's still licking the side of their building. Well-trained samurai, kimonos tucked out of their way and masked against smoke inhalation, had ladders against one of the walls. Some scaled it as others with signs and shouts motioned men to bring buckets that were quickly handed to the topmost man who hurled them where they would do most good. An angry shaft of flame sought him but he ducked, covered his face and held on, then once more went back to fire fighting." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She caught her breath, thinking how strong and brave the man was and how helpless Struan had become, how little he could do to protect her in an emergency, how he was more and more of a weight, more and more of an invalid, every day more querulous and less and less fun." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What of my future?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tremor went through her.\n\n\"Nothing to worry about, Mademoiselle,\" Vervene said in French, a tassled cap covering his bald pate. \"Come along, you're quite safe. Earth quakes are really quite normal here.\" He took her arm to lead her up the promenade through the men swarming the front, watching or fighting the fire.\n\nOri had seen her the moment she came into the street.\n\nHe was on the edge of the crowd in the neck of the alley beside the French Legation near the North Gate. His laborer's clothes and cap were not much different from those of many men around him, camouflaging him well. From this position he could see most of the promenade, the front of Struan's and the street beside it that came up from the village main street.\n\nHe stopped staring at her and scanned all around, seeking Hiraga or Akimoto, sure that they were lurking somewhere near or soon would be, his heart still pounding from his frantic run through Drunk Town and into the village. The moment he had seen the Struan fire and the open length of the promenade he knew that he was doomed to be caught if he tried that way or the beach—and no time to fetch Timee to act as guard or rear guard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I could ever trust those dogs, he thought, his heart grinding even more heavily at the nearness of her.\n\nShe was only twenty yards away.\n\nThose who saw her doffed their hats and murmured greetings that she absently returned. Ori could easily have gone deeper into safety but he did not, just took off his hat like the others and looked. Short beard, strong face, curious eyes, his hair short but groomed. Her eyes flowed over him but she did not really see him, nor did Vervene who was chattering pleasantly in French.\n\nThey passed within a few yards. Ori waited until they had gone into the French Legation—no sentries there now, all had gone to join the fire fight-then he trudged away, down the alley. The moment he was sure no one was watching he scaled the Legation fence as he had done before and went into the previous ambush under her window. Tonight the shutters were unbarred and open." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Why not sleep here tonight, Mademoiselle, Monsieur Struan? We've plenty of room,\" Vervene said.\n\nIt was near dinnertime and they were in the main reception room of the French Legation having champagne and Jamie had just arrived to report that their fire was out, nothing serious except some water damage in her suite, a little in Struan's. \"If you want you can have my rooms, Tai-pan,\" Jamie said. \"I'll bunk elsewhere, and Miss Angelique can have Vargas's room.\"\n\n\"There's no need for that, Jamie,\" Angelique said. \"We can stay here, no need to disrupt everyone. I was moving here tomorrow anyway. Yes, chéri?\"\n\n\"I think I'd be more comfortable in my own suite. It's all right, Jamie?\"\n\n\"Oh yes, hardly touched. Miss Angelique, would you like my rooms then?\"\n\n\"No, Jamie, I'll be fine here tonight.\"\n\n\"Good, then that's settled,\" Struan said, eyes strange and feeling very tired, most of his pain still drowned by the opium, but not his deep-set rage over Norbert Greyforth.\n\n\"Monsieur Struan, you are certainly welcome to stay too,\" Vervene said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We have rooms enough, as the Minister and his staff are at Yedo for a few days.\"\n\n\"Oh!\" Angelique was openly shocked. Tomorrow André had to collect the medicine. They all stared at her. \"But André told me, he told me they were all returning by the latest early tomorrow, after today's meeting with the Shōgun.\"\n\n\"It depends on the Shōgun's punctuality and how the meeting goes—and our hosts are international models for punctuality, eh?\" Vervene chuckled at his own joke, adding grandly, \"You never know how State Occasions will turn out. It may take a day, even a week. More champagne, Monsieur Struan?\"\n\n\"Thanks, yes, tha—\"\n\n\"But André said the meeting was this morning and they'd be back at the latest tomorrow.\" She fought the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.\n\n\"What the devil's the matter, Angel?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan said testily. \"Does it matter when they come back?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It... n-no... but I—I just hate it when someone says something and it's not true.\"\n\n\"You were probably mistaken, ridiculous to be upset about such an unimportant matter.\" Struan took a large swallow of his refilled glass. \"For goodness' sake, Angel!\"\n\n\"Perhaps they'll be back tomorrow, Mademoiselle,\" Vervene said, ever the diplomat. Stupid cow, however delectable her breasts and kissable her lips, as if it matters. \"Never mind,\" he said with his most oily smile, \"dinner will be served within the hour. Monsieur McFay, you will join us, bien sûr?\"\n\n\"Thank you no, I'd best be going.\" McFay hesitated at the door. \"Tai-pan, shall I, er, shall I come back for you?\"\n\n\"I'm capable of walking two hundred yards by myself,\" Struan snapped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perfectly capable!\" And of pulling a bloody trigger tonight or any night, he wanted to shout after him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just before coming over here Norbert Greyforth had taken a respite, the Brock fire almost under control, and, unnoticed by him, had walked out into the street. Jamie, beside him, was directing Vargas and the fire fighters, Dr. Hoag and Dr. Babcott nearby, tending burns and a few broken bones.\n\nAh Tok's elixir had worked its usual magic and Malcolm was feeling fine and confident, though strange and wanting to sleep as always—he had been fantasizing, to sleep perchance to dream, to dream about loving, about connecting with the Japanese girl or Angelique with ever greater passion, their need as great as mine and ever more erotic. Then, abruptly, he had been jerked into the vicious present.\n\n\"Evening, Jamie. Proper bugger, eh?\"\n\n\"Ah, Norbert,\" Struan said, politeness helped by the euphoria. \"Sorry about your bad joss. I think th—\"\n\nNorbert pointedly ignored him. \"Fortunately, Jamie, no damage to our offices or warehouse, or trade goods or strong rooms, you'll be happy to hear—just in my sleeping quarters.\" Then he feigned to see Struan for the first time and his voice became louder and taunting for others to hear. \"Well, well, if it isn't the young tai-pan of the Oh So Noble House himself. Top of the evening to you, laddie, you don't look so good—is your milk off?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struan's bonhomie had vanished." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Through his opiate screen he realized he was confronting evil and his enemy was there in front of him. \"No, but your manners are.\"\n\n\"Manners are not your strong suit, laddie.\" Norbert laughed. \"Yes, we're not harmed, laddie. In fact our new mining ventures make us Noble House in Japan and we'll have Hong Kong by Christmas. Best toddle home, Malcolm.\"\n\n\"The name's Struan,\" he said, seeing himself tall, strong and omnipotent, not quite aware of others around him or that Jamie and Babcott were trying to intervene. \"Struan!\"\n\n\"I like 'young Malcolm,' young Malcolm.\"\n\n\"Next time you call me that I'll call you a motherless bastard and blow your head off without waiting for your seconds, by God.\"\n\nNow there was a pit of silence around them. The crackle of flames and the soft, baiting hiss of the wind only enhanced it. The news of the lunchtime challenge had spread within minutes and all waited for the next move in the game that had been brewing since Malcolm's grand father, Dirk Struan, died before he could kill Tyler Brock as he had sworn to do.\n\nNorbert Greyforth's mind was working hard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once again he measured his future and his position in Brock's, considering carefully what he should do—the stakes immense." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was well compensated—so long as he obeyed orders. Tyler Brock's last letter had opened a door to paradise, telling him bluntly to \"ride Malcolm Struan to the limit while he be sick, wounded, and unprotected by my hellcat daughter, God curse her to Hell! There be five thousand guinea a year for ten year if that stripling be crushed while he be in the Japans—thee be taking any measure thee be wanting.\"\n\nNorbert would be thirty-one in six more days. By forty, the normal retirement age, the average China trader was old. Five thousand for ten years was truly a princely sum, enough for him and all his generations, enough to buy a seat in Parliament, to become gentry, a squire with a manor house, married to a young bride with a fine dowry of good Surrey land.\n\nIt was easy to decide. He put his face close to Struan's and was happy to see the pain under the taut skin—of a height with him now that Struan hunched over his sticks. \"Listen, young Malcolm, you tossed brandy in my face for lunch, you can kiss my arse for supper.\"\n\n\"You-sir-are-a-motherless-bastard!\"\n\nThe older man laughed, a cruel jeering laugh. \"You're an even bigger motherless bastard, in fact y—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott moved between them, his great height and size dwarfing them." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Somewhere in your response, you need to say: \"Stop it, both of you,\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Stop it, both of you,\" he said angrily, \"both of you! This is a public place and these quarrels should be settled in private as between gentlemen.\"\n\n\"He's not a bloody gen—\"\n\n\"In private as gentlemen, Malcolm,\" Babcott said louder. \"Norbert, what's your pleasure?\"\n\n\"A duel's not my choice but it's what this bastard wants, so be it! Tonight, tomorrow, sooner the better.\"\n\n\"Not tonight, tomorrow, or any day, duelling's against the law, but I will be at your office at eleven.\" Babcott looked at Struan, knowing that no one here could prevent a duel if that was their mutual wish. He saw the dilated pupils and was sad for him and furious with him. Both he and Hoag had long since diagnosed the addiction but nothing they did or said had made any impression, nor could they prevent access to the drug. \"I'll see you at noon, Malcolm. In the meantime, as the senior British Official still in Yokohama, you are both ordered neither to address each other nor attack each other, in private or in public...\"\n\nNever mind about bloody Babcott, Struan was thinking now, even more confident, the champagne mixing nicely with the opiate." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tomorrow or the next day you'll send Jamie, no, send Dmitri to see Norbert—not Jamie, he's no longer to be trusted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We'll do it near the racecourse and the Noble House will give Norbert a noble funeral—and bloody Brock too if he ever comes here, by God! They've both forgotten you were the best revolver shot at Eton, and duelled that sod Percy Quill for calling you a Chinaman. Killed him too and was sent down for it, though the affair was hushed up and settled by Papa for a few thousand guineas. Norbert will get his comeuppance...\n\nA stir in the room distracted him. Seratard had just come in and was surrounded and being greeted by the others, André Poncin behind him. Through his mist he heard Seratard saying the Yedo meeting had been concluded quickly after \"we broke the deadlock and French compromises were accepted so no need to stay...\"\n\nHis ears stopped listening as his eyes focused on André. The taut, sharp-featured, straight-backed handsome Frenchman was smiling at Angelique who was smiling back more happily than she had for days. Jealousy began to swamp him but he put it away. Not her fault, he thought wearily, or André's, she's worth smiling at and I'm not good company and not myself, just sick to death of the pain and being helpless." }, { "from": "human", "value": "God, but I love that woman and need her to death." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage target: 'about' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He struggled up, made his excuses and thanked them for their hospitality. Seratard was his usual charming self. \"But surely you'll stay? So sorry about the fire—we felt none of the earthquake at sea, not even a swell of any sort. Don't worry about your fiancée, we'll be delighted to have her company, Monsieur, as long as necessary while your apartments are repaired, of course you are welcome anytime.\" He saw them to the door, Angelique insisting on taking Struan's arm to walk him home.\n\n\"I'm fine, Angel,\" Struan said, loving her.\n\n\"Of course, my love, but it's my pleasure,\" she said, bursting with goodwill now that André had returned. Only a few more hours and then I am free." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dinner was a great success with Angelique radiant, Seratard full of himself at his success in Yedo, regaling them with his exploits in Algiers where he had been an official in charge of subjugation before this appointment, Vervene all the time vying for her attention to tell heroic versions of what he had previously achieved, all of them flushed by her company and abundant wine, a bottle of Burgundy per man, with champagne before to tickle the taste buds, and now again to settle the stomach. Then André Poncin began telling saucy tales of Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Kowloon where villagers from time to time really believed the Penis Plague was with them again when that appendage would disappear back into their bodies, so all the men would tie a string around it, anchoring it tightly to their necks to prevent the catastrophe.\n\n\"Oh, that's impossible, André, and naughty of you!\" she said, her fan fluttering, amidst laughter and his protests that this was the absolute truth, sure it was now time for her to leave. She finished her second tall glass of champagne that went nicely with the previous three goblets of Château d'Arcins, more than mellow herself—her relief that André had come back when he had promised, and her pleasure at speaking French for the whole evening, had overcome her usual caution. \"Now I will leave you to your cigars and brandy—and naughty stories!\"\n\n\"But only for a moment,\" Seratard said. \"André is going to play for us.\"\n\n\"Tonight, no,\" André said, too quickly. \"If you don't mind, there are some papers I must ready for tomorrow, sorry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Everything can wait, pleasure before business,\" Seratard said as a genial order." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tonight we must have music to finish the evening, something romantic for Angelique.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Let him have some peace, Henri,\" she said, the wine making her cheeks rosy, delighted that André was clearly anxious to fetch the promised medicine. \"You've taken him from his business long enough, after all he's not an official.\"\n\n\"André will adore to play for us.\"\n\n\"Ah, so André is always to be commanded, yes? Then I must command you, Monsieur le Ministre, to excuse him this once... and me too, it's time for my bed.\" She got up, her knees a little weak. They surrounded her, protesting loudly. \"But I'm here tomorrow and for at least three days.\" She offered her hand to André with a special smile. \"Now you are free to go, I command you to guard our interests.\"\n\n\"You may count on it, Angelique.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A last glass...\"\n\nShe allowed herself to be persuaded to take it with her and they escorted her to ensure the bolts on the windows and new shutters of the boudoir and bedroom were secure.\n\n\"We decided to replace all our shutters since you were last here.\" Vervene said again what he had already told her earlier, his sparse hair awry, beaming tipsily, \"Even in last week's storm there were no rattles.\" All eyes noticed the filmy green peignoir and nightdress laid out on the bed that had been turned down invitingly by the heavyset maid who watched and waited balefully. Dimmed oil lamps and their alcoholic haze made the room all the more enticing and her more provocative.\n\nMore reluctant good nights and sweet dreams and then she was alone with Ah Soh, the door to the corridor bolted. The maid undressed her and brushed her hair and put her crinoline away in the deep hanging cupboard with her other clothes, lingerie in the chest of drawers, all the while Angelique humming happily, content to be here, safe for tomorrow, elated to be alone and that the fire and earthquake had not harmed any of them or interfered with her plan but had made it simpler.\n\nI will make peace between Malcolm and Jamie, bad for them to be estranged, she thought exhilarated, still thirsty, but soothed and wine content. Thank God for André." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'night' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder what the Yoshiwara's like, and his girl. I'll encourage him to tell me about her and we can laugh together...\n\n\"'Night, Missee\" interrupted her. Ah Soh was walking ponderously for the boudoir couch. The last time her maid had slept there, even with the bedroom door closed, her snores had been deafening, further disturbing her.\n\n\"No, Ah Soh, no sleep here! You go, come back chop chop with coffee-ah, morning, heya?\"\n\nThe woman shrugged. \"'Night, Missee.\"\n\nAngelique bolted the door after her and in the warm light, completely and peacefully alone at last, lazily twirled to a hummed waltz. In a moment her ears caught the muted notes of the piano. Ah, it's Henri, she thought, recognizing his touch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He's a good player, better than Vervene but not to be compared with André." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chopin. Soft, delicate, romantic.\n\nShe swayed in time with the lovely melody, then caught sight of herself in the tall mirror. For a moment she studied herself, this way and that, then cupped her breasts higher as she and Colette used to do, pouting this way and that to see if that made them seem more desirable or less.\n\nA sip of champagne, the bubbles tickling, the music and the alcohol nudging her. A sudden excited impulse and she let the peignoir fall, then slowly slid her nightdress higher and higher, coquetting the mirror image, admiring the legs and loins and hips and breasts and now full nakedness of the other person, posing this way and that, using the bunched nightdress to obscure or to reveal.\n\nAnother sip of champagne. Then she dipped a finger into it and put the liquid on her hardened nipples as she had read the great Parisian courtesans would do, sometimes using sweet Château d'Yquem there and in other places. Curious that our two most famous courtesans in the center of the world are English.\n\nShe chuckled to herself, possessed by the night and the music and the wine. When I have birthed one or two sons and am, say, twenty-one and Malcolm has a mistress and I am ready for my special lover, that's what I'll do—for his pleasure and mine, and before that for Malcolm's." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another sip and another and then finished, languidly licking the last drop, then, watching her mirror, curling her tongue around the glass, toying with it." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'little' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chuckling again, putting the glass back on the dressing table, letting it fall unnoticed to the carpet, ears only tuned to Chopin and his underlying passions—eyes fixed on the mirror, now the reflected image close, brazenly intimate.\n\nLazily she leaned forward and turned down the wick, shadows kinder now, then moved back a little, the mirror person still there, lovely, voluptuous. Fingers moving with a life of their own, straying, caressing, heart picking up tempo, fluttering with growing pleasure. Eyes closed now, imagining Malcolm tall, strong, very strong, sweet-smelling, leading her into the bedroom, laying her on the coverlets, lying with her, as naked as she, his fingers wandering, fondling.\n\nOri had eased the door of the cupboard open in the other room and moved noiselessly and now stood in the deep shadows near the half-open doorway watching her, heart pounding in his ears. It had been easy for him to hide among the cases and hanging dresses and crinolines, easy to slide further into hiding to become invisible when the maid opened the cupboard door and closed it again. Easy to hear the final bolts ring home and to judge when Angelique was truly alone.\n\nIn the bedroom half light she lay on the sheets, eyes closed, a little shudder from time to time, face in shadow, body part in shadow, shadows dancing as the small flame moved with the air currents. It seemed to him he waited an eternity. Soundlessly, he stepped out of the darkness to the threshold." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The door clicked closed. The distant music cut. Her eyes opened and focused and she saw him.\n\nSome sense told her that this was him—the murderer from the Tokaidō, father of the child that was never to be, who had violated her but had left no memory of pain or ravishment, only erotic half dreams, sleeping, waking—and that she was defenseless and tonight he would murder her.\n\nBoth were hardly breathing. Motionless. Waiting for the other to move. Still in shock, she saw his youth, not much older than she, a little taller, sheathed sword-knife in his belt, right hand on the hilt, neat short beard and hair, broad shoulders and narrow hips, rough shirt, flapped breeches, strong calves and legs and peasant sandals. Face in shadow.\n\nThis's another dream, surely it's a dream, no need to be afraid...\n\nBewildered, she propped her head on one hand, motioning him to move into the light.\n\nMomentarily fused into the same unreal, dreamlike state as she, his feet obeyed and when she saw the chiselled features, so different and alien, the dark eyes so filled with craving, she opened her mouth to say, Who are you, what's your name, but he thought she was going to scream so he leapt forward in panic, the naked blade violently at her throat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, please,\" she gasped, backed into the pillow, and when he did not understand she shook her head, petrified, eyes pleading, every part of her shrieking, You're going to die, there's no escape this time! \"No—please.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'heart' precisely 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fright slid off his face and, standing over her, heart thundering as hers was thundering, he put a finger to his lips, warning her to be silent and not to scream, not to move. \"Iyé\" he whispered hoarsely, adding, \"No!\"\n\nA drop of perspiration slid down his cheek.\n\n\"I... I won't—won't make a sound,\" she muttered, terror confusing her. She pulled the sheet over her loins. At once he ripped it away. Her heart stopped. But in that second she knew, a primeval instinct in mind had propelled her to a different plane and she felt herself possessed by a latent, newfound knowledge. Her horror began to slide away. Inner voices seemed to whisper: Be careful, we can guide you. Watch his eyes, don't make a sudden move, first the knife..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heart pounding, she watched his eyes and put a finger to her lips as he had done, gently pointed at the blade and motioned it away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was like a coiled spring, expecting her to dart for the door any second and scream—he knew he could silence her easily, but that did not fit into his plan: she was to flee for the door in his time, not hers, and scream and scream to wake the enemy, then he would slash once and make sure and then he would wait and when they arrived he would shout, \"Sonno-joi,\" turning the knife on himself and, spitting in their faces, die. That was his plan—one of many he had considered: taking her wildly then killing her and then himself, or just killing her silently at once as he should have done before, however much he wanted her now, leaving the Tokaidō characters on the sheets as before, then to escape through the window. But she was not reacting as he had expected. Unwavering eyes, her hand motioning the blade away, sky-blue eyes asking, not begging, tension there, but no terror now. Uncanny half smile. Why?\n\nThe blade did not move.\n\nBe patient, the voices whispered to her...\n\nAgain she gestured the point away, unhurried, willing him. His eyes narrowed even more. With an effort he tore them away from hers to surge over her to be inexorably drawn back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is she planning? Warily he lowered the dirk and waited, ready to lunge.\n\nHe was standing close to the bed. Leisurely her hands began to unbutton his shirt, then froze. The cross at his neck flickered in the light, her cross. The suddenness that the lost forever was miraculously found again, elated her strangely and, dreamlike, she watched her fingers touch it, trembling slightly, weirdly pleased that he had taken it to wear it, part of her around him forever as part of him was around her forever but even the cross, her cross, did not deflect her.\n\nGently she eased the shirt off, down his right arm, over the knife, tightly held and a constant threat. Her intent look drifted over him, the shoulder wound, freshly healed, muscled body. Again the wound.\n\n\"Tokaidō,\" she said softly, not as a question though he took it as such.\n\n\"Hai,\" he muttered, watching and waiting and choked with lust. \"Hai.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again the cross glittered. \"Kanagawa?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He nodded, hardly breathing, spellbound, and she was glad that she had been right in the first instant, and now that he was almost naked she was more secure with the plan that had swamped her mind. She reached out and touched his belt, always watching his eyes, and felt a tiny tremor. A current went through her at this victory.\n\nDon't be afraid, the voices said. Continue...\n\nHis fingers found the buckle. It loosened. The belt dropped away, the scabbard with it. His breeches slid off him. Below he wore a loincloth. With a grinding effort he remained motionless, his weight balanced on both legs, slightly apart, and body throbbing with his heartbeat, eyes locked.\n\nContinue, the voices whispered, don't be afraid..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Abruptly, the image of him in the web that myriad generations of women before her—defenseless in the same mantrap—were aiding her to weave, caused her resolve to soar unexpectedly, heightening her awareness, making her part of the night and yet apart, to watch herself and him, and fingers untying the string and seeing him unadorned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She had never seen a man thus. But for the wound he was without blemish. As she was.\n\nFor a moment he continued to dominate his lust, then his will vanished and he threw the knife on the bed and covered her but she closed like an oyster and twisted away and he did likewise, grabbing for the knife before she did but she had not made a move toward it, just lay there, watching him kneeling on the bed, blade poised, another phallus pointing at her.\n\nIn the waking dream, she shook her head, telling him to lay the knife aside, to forget it, to lie down beside her. \"There's no hurry,\" she said softly, knowing he would not understand words, only gestures. \"Lie here.\" She showed him where. \"No, be gentle.\" She showed him how. \"Kiss me... no, not so cruel... gently.\"\n\nShe showed him everything she wanted, he wanted, advancing, retreating, soon to be aroused and then, when at last they joined she imploded to carry him over the crest and them into the abyss.\n\nWhen her panting had lessened and her ears could hear, the music was still playing but far away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No sounds of danger, only his panting matching hers, body light, fitting perfectly. Belonging. That was what she could not understand—how or why he seemed to belong. Or how and why she could be so thrilled, or consumed with such ecstasy. He began to ease away.\n\nNo, the voices told her quickly, hold him, don't let him move, beware, the danger's not over, stay with the plan...\n\nSo her arms tightened around him.\n\nThey slept for an hour or so and when she awoke he was lying beside her, breathing softly, his sleeping face young and untroubled, one hand tight on the knife, the other touching her cross that he wore so easily.\n\nIt was my first gift, Maman told me, the first day of my life and worn ever since, only the chain changing. Is it his now, or mine, or ours?\n\nHis eyes opened and a shiver went through her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment he was not sure where he was, or if it was a dream and then he saw her, still beautiful, still desirable, still beside him, the strange, half smile washing over him." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Enchanted, his hand went to her and she responded, to coalesce again but now without anger or haste. Only to prolong.\n\nAfterwards, barely awake, he wanted to tell her how vast the Clouds and the Rain had been, how much he admired her and thanked her—beset with a great sadness that he had to end her life, this life. But not sad that his own death was near. Now, because of her, he would die fulfilled, her death sanctifying the just cause of sonno-joi.\n\nAh, he thought with sudden warmth, in return for such a gift perhaps an equal gift, a samurai gift, a samurai death: no screams or terror, one moment alive the next dead. Why not?\n\nCompletely at peace, hand on unsheathed knife, he allowed himself to stray into dreamlessness." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her fingers touched him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instantly he was awake, on guard, fingers tight on his knife." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He saw her gesture at the curtained and shuttered window, a finger to her lips." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Outside whistling was approaching." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sound passed, then went away.\n\nShe sighed, then leaned over and snuggled close, kissed his chest, then, so happily, pointed at the clock on her dresser that read 4:16 a.m., again at the window. She slid out of bed and with signs, made him understand that he was to dress and to leave now and to return with the night, that the shutters would be unbarred. He shook his head, pretending to tease her, and she ran back, shadows and the sight of her delighting him, to kneel beside the bed and whisper, pleading with him, \"Please... please...\"\n\nHis spirit twisted. Never in his life had he seen that expression on a woman's face before, such an open depth of passion beyond his ken—no word for love, not in Japanese. It swamped him but did not deflect his decision.\n\nEasy to pretend to assent, to agree to go, to return with nightfall. As he dressed she stayed very close, helping him, reluctant to let him go, wanting him to stay, completely protective." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finger to her lips, almost childlike, she moved the curtains aside, opened the windows soundlessly, unbarred the shutters and peered out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The air was clean." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A hint of dawn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sky speckled with clouds." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sea calm and no sound or sight of danger, only the sigh of the waves on the sandy beach. Along High Street only threads of smoke remained of the fires. No one about, the Settlement was at peace, asleep.\n\nHe stood close behind her and realized this was the perfect moment. His hand angled the blade, knuckles white. But he did not strike for as she turned her tenderness and concern obliterated his resolve, that and the lust that still obsessed him. Quickly she kissed him, then she leaned out again and peered both ways to make sure it was safe. \"No, not yet,\" she murmured anxiously, making him wait, her arm around his waist." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And when she was sure, she turned again and kissed him again, then she motioned him to hurry. He stepped silently over the lintel and the moment he was safe in the garden, she slammed the shutters closed and the bolt home and her screams tore through the night, \"Helppppp meeee...\"\n\nOri was paralyzed. But only for a moment. Blinded by rage he clawed at the shutters, her continuing screams and the knowledge he had been duped sending him berserk. Fingers now talons ripped a shutter open, almost tore it off its hinges. At that second the first of the French sentries hurtled around the corner, rifle armed and ready. Ori saw him and was faster and jerked out the derringer and pulled the trigger but missed with both barrels, never having fired a gun before, the bullets whining off the brickwork into the night.\n\nThe sentry did not miss the first time or the second time or the third and in the room Angelique cowered with her hands over her ears, exulted, forlorn, not knowing what to think, what to do, whether she was laughing or crying, only that she had won and now she was safe and revenged, all the time the inner voices rejoicing, You've won, well done, you were marvelous, wonderful, you followed the plan perfectly, you're safe, you're safe now from him forever!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Am I?\" she whimpered." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, you're safe, he's dead. Of course, there's always a price, but don't worry, don't be afraid...\n\nWhat price? What... Oh God, I forgot the cross, he still has my cross!\n\nAmid the growing uproar outside and the hammering on her door, she began to tremble. Violently." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the afternoon H.M.S. Pearl returned from Yedo with all sails set and hurtled for her usual mooring in Yokohama's busy harbor. Sir William's flag was at the masthead, other flags demanded his cutter immediately but these were unnecessary as his longboat was already waiting in the roads, the Struan steam cutter beside her—Jamie impatient in the stern. All those ashore who saw Pearl watched to see if her Captain was up to his arrogant dash, the wind frisky and his speed under sail making the maneuver dicey." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her bow wave was high, the sea good." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the last second she spun into wind and stayed there quivering, her bowsprit perfectly over her buoy just alee. At once smartly dressed sailors dropped rope hawsers over the bollard and made her secure while others went aloft to furl all sails.\n\nNot bad at all, Jamie thought proudly, then called out, \"Full ahead, get alongside,\" needing to be first at the gangplank to intercept Sir William as Malcolm had ordered. \"Hurry it up, Tinker, for Christ's sake!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'their' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Aye, aye, sorr!\" Tinker, the Struan coxswain, beamed toothlessly, anticipating him with throttles full forward. He was an old hand, a pigtailed, tattooed, greying bosun's mate off one of their clippers and he zipped passed Sir William's eight-oared cutter to their chagrin, spat tobacco juice good-naturedly, gave them the finger and took possession of the slot. Jamie jumped onto the gangway. At the main deck he raised his top hat to the officer of the deck, a fresh-faced midshipman." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Permission to come aboard, message for Sir William.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The midshipman saluted him back. \"Certainly, sir.\"\n\n\"What is it, Jamie, what the devil's wrong now?\" Sir William called down from the bridge, Phillip Tyrer and Captain Marlowe beside him.\n\n\"Sorry, sir, the Settlement's in a bit of an uproar and Mr. Struan thought I should give you the details.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Marlowe said, \"You can use my cabin, Sir William.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you. Best you come along too, after all you're 'Admiral in charge of our Naval Defense,' however temporary.\"\n\nMarlowe laughed. \"I could certainly use the salary, sir, if not the rank, however temporary.\"\n\n\"Wouldn't we all! Come along, you too, Phillip.\" They followed him, Marlowe last." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before Marlowe left the bridge, he beckoned his Number One." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Engine room to get steam up, all cannon cleaned, oiled and made ready, ship's company prepared for battle stations.\"\n\nIn the small, austere stern cabin, with a bunk, private head and chart table, they sat down. \"Well, Jamie?\"\n\n\"First, Sir William, the tai-pan and all traders want to congratulate you on a successful meeting.\"\n\n\"Thank you. What uproar?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"There's been trouble: early this morning a Jappo tried to break into Angelique's bedroom in the French Legation, the sentries shot him, killed him. Dr. Hoag and Dr. Babcott w—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Christ Almighty, was she hurt? Touched?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To their relief Jamie shook his head. \"No, sir, she said she heard him fumbling with the shutters and began screaming bloody murder an—\"\n\n\"Then it was someone, like last time!\" Tyrer burst out. \"Not the wind rattling the shutters!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We're inclined to think so.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie ran on quickly, \"Babcott and Hoag were summoned—she was in shock, not hurt as I said but shaking. They took a look at the dead man and at once Hoag said he was the same bugger he operated on in Kanagawa...\" Phillip Tyrer gasped and Marlowe looked at him quickly. \"The same we suspect was one of Canterbury's murderers, same man who might have been at our Kanagawa Legation and Captain Marlowe and Pallidar tried to catch.\"\n\n\"I'll be damned!\" Sir William glanced at Tyrer who had blanched. \"Do you think you could identify him, Phillip?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't know, I don't think so. Malcolm might be able to, I don't know.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sir William's mind had hurled him onwards: If this is the same man then both probable murderers are dead so how does this affect our demand for indemnity? \"French Legation, eh? Astonished they shot the bugger, their security's abominable at the best of times and marksmanship worse. But why was the man there, was he after her or what?\"\n\n\"We've no idea, sir. It also turns out he was Catholic—at least he was wearing a cross. Wh—\"\n\n\"That's curious! But... but wait a minute, Angelique there? I thought she had moved back to Struan's.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She had but her quarters were fire damaged. I forgot to mention, after the earthquake, sir, we had a small fire, us and also Norbert. The—\"\n\n\"Anyone hurt?\"\n\n\"No, sir, thank God, nor anywhere in the Settlement far as we know. The French offered her accommodation but th—\"\n\n\"Was Malcolm Struan staying there too?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie sighed at the continual interruptions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, sir, he was at our place.\"\n\n\"Then you can't have had much damage.\"\n\n\"No, sir, fortunately, and not much in the whole Settlement though Norbert lost most of his upper floor.\"\n\n\"Well, that should please you. So the girl wasn't touched, the assailant's dead, so what's the fuss about?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I've been trying to tell you, sir,\" Jamie said, then rushed on, refusing this time to be interrupted by Sir William's shocked questions. \"Some of the morons in Drunk Town, aided I'm sorry to say by some of our more stupid traders, decided that every Jappo in the village was responsible so a couple of hours ago a mob of them started beating up anyone they could find, that brought samurai steaming in, troops and Navy fellows confronted them and now there's a standoff, both sides armed, reinforced and getting grimmer by the minute, some of our cavalry there, the General's in command and bristling to order a charge like the Light Brigade at Balaclava.\"\n\nBloody fool, Sir William thought. \"I'll go ashore at once.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Marlowe said, \"I'll send a detachment of marines with you, sir. Orderly!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The cabin door opened instantly. \"Yessir?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Marine Captain and ten marines with a signalman to the main deck gangway on the double!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then to Jamie, \"Where's the riot, exactly?\"\n\n\"The south end of the village, near No Man's Land.\"\n\n\"Sir William, I'll be standing off, close in. Any trouble, use my signalman and you can order up a barrage.\"\n\n\"Thank you, but I doubt if I'll need naval support.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie said, \"Another problem is—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When we're in the cutter.\" Sir William was already halfway to the main deck. \"We'll take yours, it's faster. Head for the Drunk Town wharf.\"\n\nIn moments the Struan cutter was at full speed, marines crowded into the stern, Sir William, Jamie and Tyrer in relative comfort in the midship cabin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now, Jamie, another problem?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's Mr. Tyrer's not-so-tame samurai, Nakama.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Remember to mention: \"Yes, sir. I tried to get them to leave him alone but they told me to piss off. Nakama wasn't at fault initially, Sir William, I saw him on High Street, that much I'm sure of.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie glanced at Phillip briefly. \"Part of the mob attacked him but he broke away, somehow got some swords and fought back, cut one drunk, an Aussie, but not badly, and would have killed the rest if they hadn't fled. Some of them got guns, rushed back and nearly blew him away so he retreated into a village store, we think there may be some samurai with him—and there's a dozen or so maniacs surrounding the place, ready to lynch him.\"\n\nSir William gasped, \"A lynch mob? In my jurisdiction?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir. I tried to get them to leave him alone but they told me to piss off. Nakama wasn't at fault initially, Sir William, I saw him on High Street, that much I'm sure of.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good,\" Sir William said tightly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Fortunately we've one law for the rich and the same for the poor, and the same for anyone under our protection. If he's lynched we will lynch the lynchers. I'm tired of Drunk Town and their rabble nonsense. Until we get our allotment of Peelers from London we'll form our own police force. I'm Chief. Jamie, you're temporary Deputy Police Chief with Norbert an equal Deputy—equally temporary.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not on your nelly, Sir Wil—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then it's Norbert alone,\" Sir William said sweetly.\n\n\"God dammit, all right,\" Jamie said, not pleased at all, knowing that that job had to be a thankless task. \"Norbert, eh? Did you hear about Norbert and the tai-pan?\"\n\n\"What about them?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie told them about the quarrel and challenge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The betting's five to one they sneak off one dawn and one of them will end up very dead.\"\n\nSir William's eyes looked to Heaven and he said wearily, \"I'm away three days and everything's up the creek.\" He thought a moment. \"Phillip, you'll order both of them into my office first thing tomorrow.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga was peering through the slats of the barricaded door of the shoya's shop-house at the shouting, angry men armed with pistols and muskets. Sweat ran down his face. He was choked with rage and not a little afraid though he hid it from the others. Blood from a slight wound in his back stained his shirt—he had discarded his frock coat the moment he had rushed in here to fetch some swords. The shoya stood nervously beside him, unarmed except for a fishing harpoon—only samurai could bear arms, on pain of death.\n\nTrapped with them was a greying ashigaru, a foot soldier, who watched Hiraga with awe and confusion: awe for his fighting ability and because he was clearly shishi, confusion because he wore gai-jin clothes and grew his hair like them and seemingly lived in the Settlement with them, yet was also the subject of these unwarranted attacks.\n\nStinking gai-jin, he thought, as if a futile attempted burglary by a baka ronin mattered—of course the man was just a simple ronin thief and not after the girl, what civilized man would want one of them? The fool was correctly killed for his impertinence, no one was hurt, so why all the violence? Baka gai-jin! \"Is there a way out the back?\" he asked.\n\nThe shoya shook his head, his face ashen. This was the first time there had been a major disturbance with so many gai-jin on the rampage. And he was directly involved: had he not harbored this shishi?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even the maniac ronin had been in his house and he had not reported them as he was obliged to do—not only them but any strangers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There's bound to be a Bakufu investigation,\" his wife had moaned an hour ago. \"We are bound to be called before them to testify. Enforcers are still at the guard houses. We will lose everything, including our heads, Namu Amida Butsu!\" She and their eldest daughter had been shopping at the vegetable market when the first of the mob had rushed through the village shouting threats, upsetting crates, barging and jostling shoppers and causing them to run home in panic.\n\n\"So sorry, Sire,\" the shoya managed to say, \"we are surrounded—there are more gai-jin in the back alley.\"\n\nApart from the dozen-odd men outside confronting them, most of the population of the Settlement was collected on both sides of No Man's Land. The majority had begun as onlookers out for a lark, but now many were well whipped up by a hard core of rioters wanting revenge. Behind those in the village street were twenty samurai from the North Gate guarding the village. In front were those from the South Gate. None of the samurai had their swords out but all had their hands on their hilts, officers to the fore. The same was true with the troops confronting them, rifles ready, the dozen cavalry sitting on their horses waiting for orders, the General nearby—everyone confidently and noisily spoiling for a fight.\n\nOnce again the senior Japanese officer shouted above the clamor for the gai-jin to disperse and once again the General shouted imperiously—to a following roar of approval—the samurai were ordered to disperse, neither side understanding the other, or wanting to understand.\n\nHiraga could just hear the General among the shouts and countershouts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fool, he thought, seething, but he is not as big a fool as madman Ori." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good that he's dead, very good! Stupid to do what he did to achieve nothing but trouble, stupid! I should have killed him the moment I caught him wearing her cross—or in the tunnel.\n\nWhen her warning screams had broken the night's quiet, immediately followed by rifle fire, he and Akimoto had been hunched down in the alley near Struan's, wearily lying in wait for Ori, hoping to intercept him—they had not seen Angelique go to the Legation so presumed him to be somewhere nearby, perhaps even inside the Struan Building.\n\nIn the confusion that followed, they had joined the growing mass of half-dressed men converging on the Legation, their laborer's clothes and caps camouflaging them.\n\nIn shock Hiraga and Akimoto saw the two doctors arrive and then, in a little while, Ori's body dragged out into the light. At once Hiraga motioned to Akimoto and they slid nervously into the night, and the moment they were in their village hideaway, Hiraga burst out, \"May Ori be reborn gai-jin filth, not samurai! This will stir up a hornet's nest. Sneak back to the Yoshiwara at once, use the tunnel and hide until I send word or come to find you.\"\n\n\"And you?\"\n\n\"I am one of them,\" he had said with a twisted smile. \"Taira is my protector, so is the gai-jin leader, everyone knows, so I am safe.\" But I was wrong, he thought bitterly, the mood of the men outside becoming even rougher.\n\nA couple of hours ago, the moment Pearl was spotted on the horizon, he had left the village and walked along High Street, heading for the British Legation with a whole list of phrase translations Tyrer had asked to be done while he was away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was lost in thought, more than a little anxious to hear firsthand about the Yedo meeting, when furious gai-jin faces jerked him out of his reverie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's Tyrer's Jappo...\"\n\n\"Isn't he samurai...?\"\n\n\"Hey, monkey, you-ah, you samurai, heya...\"\n\n\"He certainly looks like the other bugger...\"\n\n\"Jesus, that's a fact... same hairstyle...\"\n\n\"We'll teach you lot to interfere with our women...\"\n\nWithout warning someone shoved him in the back, knocking him down, sending his top hat rolling away to be stomped into the mucked roadway to roars of laughter while others began to kick him, banging into each other in their haste. This gave him a second's respite and, using his superior physique and youth, he had scrambled up and broke through the cordon with them in ponderous pursuit.\n\nDown the alley by Struan's into the village area, samurai guards running in from both gates to see what was going on. More men blocked access to his hideaway where he had hidden his pistol so he darted into the shop of the shoya, grabbed some inadequate swords and whirled to the attack. His berserk charge caught his assailants unawares, scattering them, three went down, one wounded, and the others fled out of range. Somewhere down the street a man fired a musket, the bullet passed harmlessly, and more men with guns started collecting, and in the jumbled melee of samurai and gai-jin, he and the ashigaru had somehow retreated with him into the shop." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The three men ducked as a bullet came out of nowhere to shatter an ornate vase." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From the back part of the house a child moaned only to be quickly hushed.\n\nOutside, the shouting increased. Lunkchurch, well heated and in his usual afternoon brandy haze, bellowed, \"Let's fire them... burn the buggers out...\"\n\n\"Are you off your rocker? All Yokopoko could catch f—\"\n\n\"Burn 'em out, by God! Who's got a match?\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When the Struan cutter swung alongside the Drunk Town wharf, everyone piled out and ran down its length into the square, marines in front." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ahead they saw the backs of the samurai confronting this portion of the mob. At once the Captain put their plan into operation. On his command his men formed into a wedge, rifles at the ready, and charged into the space between the two sides and wheeled, the point of the wedge threatening the Drunk Town people who began to give away and split into two groups, shouting and alarmed. Tyrer had rushed over to the samurai, who were equally alarmed by the sudden appearance of the disciplined soldiers, bowed and called out loudly in Japanese, \"Please, Sir Officer, all men to stay here safe. Please to salute my Master, Lord of Gai-jin.\"\n\nAutomatically the nonplussed samurai bowed back to Tyrer and as he straightened, Sir William, flushed from his unaccustomed run, stopped for a moment and faced the samurai. Immediately Tyrer bowed to him, calling out, \"Salute!\" The officer and all his men bowed, Sir William bowed back and now the samurai were back in control.\n\nAt once Sir William turned and went into the wedge, which was gaining ground, the people closest to the marines being shoved back by the rifles.\n\n\"Get out of the way! Get back... back!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "the young Captain was shouting, his adrenaline pumping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was just behind the point of the wedge, and when the way did not clear fast enough for his liking he shouted, \"fix bayonets!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As one man the marines stepped back two paces, fixed bayonets, levelled them at the crowd, each marine picking a target, each becoming a graven, waiting cog of a killing machine that was famed and feared throughout the world. \"prepare to charge!\"\n\nSir William, Tyrer, and McFay stopped breathing. Along with everyone else. Immediate silence. Then the evil spirit that all mobs contain vanished and the men here became just a rabble that broke and fled in all directions.\n\nThe Captain did not wait. \"Port rifles, follow me!\" He led the way at a run towards the village where the majority of traders, soldiers, a dozen cavalry, and samurai were gathered, all of them still oblivious of Sir William and his marines.\n\nAgain the wedge formed but as they came up to the back of the shouting mass, they heard the General shouting, \"For the last time I order you out or I will throw you out...\" to be drowned under a roar from a crowd that was clearly ready to explode. The Captain decided there was no time to waste." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Halt! One round over their heads, fire!\"\n\nThe volley blew away the noise and the fury and got immediate attention, even from the equally unprepared cavalry. Everyone had whirled or ducked and in the silence Sir William, red with rage, stalked into the space between the two sides. Further down the street Lunkchurch and the others were transfixed. He held a second burning rag in his hand, poised to throw, the first was already on the veranda against the wooden wall, flames spreading. Seeing Sir William and the marines, they evaporated into side streets, rushing pell-mell for home.\n\nAll other eyes were on Sir William. He settled his top hat more firmly and took a paper out of his pocket. In a loud grating voice he began: \"I am reading you Her Majesty's Riot Act: If this unauthorized assembly does not disperse instantly, every man, woman or child is liable for arrest and...\" His next few words were lost under general grumbling and curses but, instantly, the rabble began to dissolve." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Riot Act of 1715 had been promulgated by Parliament after the Jacobite Rebellion that only ruthlessness had contained and obliterated. The new law was designed to stop any unauthorized dissension at its source. It granted all Magistrates or Justices of the Peace the right and duty to read the Act out to any group of more than twelve persons considered a threat to the peace of the realm, the onus on the rioters to hear and obey. Anyone who did not disperse within forty-five minutes was liable to immediate arrest, incarceration, and, if proven guilty, to either a sentence of death or to being sentenced to transportation for life at Her Majesty's pleasure.\n\nThere was no need for Sir William to finish reading. The village street emptied but for the troops and the General, and the samurai. \"Phillip, deal with them, tell them to go home please.\" He watched for a moment as Tyrer went over and bowed and the officer bowed back. He's a good lad, he thought, then turned away to put a bleak eye on the General who was flushed and sweating. \"'Morning, Thomas.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"'Morning, sir.\" The General saluted. Smartly—but only because of the soldiers around him.\n\nSir William did not raise his hat in reply. Stupid berk, he was thinking. \"Pleasant day, what?\" he said easily. \"I suggest you dismiss the men.\"\n\nThe General motioned to the cavalry officer who was, secretly, more than a little pleased that Sir William had arrived when he did, knowing too that the Japanese were not at fault and he should have been walking his horses into the rabble of traders. What a bunch of ill-disciplined scum, he thought. \"Sergeant!\" he called out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"All the men back to barracks and dismiss them. Now!\"\n\nThe soldiers began sorting themselves out. Tyrer bowed a last time to the samurai officer, feeling very pleased with himself, then watched them amble away up the street towards their North Gate.\n\n\"Damn good show, Phillip, you did very well,\" Jamie McFay said.\n\n\"Oh? Didn't do a thing really,\" Tyrer said, pretending diffidence.\n\nJamie McFay grunted. He was sweating, his heart thumping, he had been sure that someone would pull a trigger or jerk out a sword. \"That was bloody close.\" He glanced over at Sir William who was deep in a one-sided conversation with the General, now even more flushed. \"Wee Willie's giving the bugger hell,\" he said softly, smiling. \"Stupid clod!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He's...\" Tyrer stopped as their attention was diverted up the street." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Samurai were sprinting towards a shop on the east side that had caught fire. \"Good God, that's the shoya's house...\" He was already running, McFay at his heels.\n\nSeveral of the samurai had jumped up onto the veranda and began beating out the flames while the others hurried to the big water barrels with their ring of buckets that were kept at intervals everywhere against such emergencies. By the time Tyrer and McFay had reached there the fire was under control. Half a dozen more buckets and the last of the flames sizzled and died. The outer shop wall was gone. Inside they saw the shoya, beside him an ashigaru, a foot soldier. Both of them stepped out onto the veranda. The shoya knelt and bowed, the ashigaru bowed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They muttered thanks. To McFay's astonishment there was no sign of Hiraga, the man he and Tyrer knew only as Nakama." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But before either of them could say anything the officer had begun questioning the shoya and the foot soldier.\n\n\"How did the fire start?\"\n\n\"A foreigner threw a rag against the wall, Sire.\"\n\n\"Dog's shit, all of them! You will make a report and explain the cause of this disturbance. By tomorrow, shoya.\"\n\n\"Yes, Sire.\"\n\nThe officer, a pockmarked man of thirty-odd, peered into the shop. \"Where's the other man?\"\n\n\"Sire?\"\n\n\"The other man. The Japanese who was chased in here by the gai-jin?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"So sorry, sir, there was no one else here.\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he said irritably. \"Hurry up!\"\n\nThe ashigaru bowed politely, \"So sorry, sir, there was no one else here.\"\n\n\"I distinctly saw him rush in here—he was carrying swords.\" He turned to his men. \"Who saw him?\" They stared back at him uneasily and shook their heads. His face reddened. \"Search the shop at once!\" The search was thorough and produced only the shoya's family and servants who knelt and bowed and stayed kneeling. They denied seeing anyone. A moment of silence then Tyrer and McFay were dumbfounded to see the officer suddenly lose his temper and begin raving at them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stoically the ashigaru and all the soldiers stood at attention, rigid, the villagers on their knees, heads to the ground, trembling under the tongue-lashing. Without warning he stepped up to the ashigaru and belted him backhanded around the face. The man stayed as impassive as he could under the flurry of blows and invective. At the officer's shrieked command the shoya was instantly on his feet and stood unflinchingly while the frenzied man beat him as cruelly around the face, the women and children trying not to wince at every blow, yet motionless.\n\nAs suddenly as the beatings had begun they stopped. Both men bowed deeply, their faces now welted. Again the shoya knelt. Formally the officer bowed back, all traces of the tirade gone. His men formed up and he led them towards the North Gate as though nothing untoward had happened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer and McFay stared after them blankly." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 10 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a moment, when it was correct to do so, the shoya got up, the women and children went into the house, and he began to supervise the repair to the wall. Village activity in the street picked up.\n\n\"What the devil was all that about?\" McFay said.\n\n\"I don't know,\" Tyrer said, both of them shocked at the brutality and its impassive acceptance. \"I only caught a word here and a word there—I think it was to do with Nakama, I think they all said he'd never been there.\"\n\n\"That's impossible—I know he was inside that hut. I saw him myself.\" McFay mopped his brow. \"Apart from that, why take all that from that bastard? He was a lunatic. And look at them now, acting as though nothing happened. Why?\"\n\n\"I don't know—perhaps Nakama can explain.\" Tyrer shuddered. \"I'll tell you one thing, I'm damned if I'd like to be in their power. Ever.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hello, Angel, how are you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Hello, darling, I'm—I'm much better, thank you.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angelique smiled wanly as Struan came in and shut the door. She was propped up by pillows in her bedroom in the French Legation, the late afternoon sun coming nicely through the window and the shadow of a guard now permanently stationed outside.\n\nIn the early hours of this morning when Struan had rushed—hobbled—to her side, she had resisted his entreaties to move, enough in command of herself to remember that she must stay here because tonight André Poncin would deliver the medicine that would deliver her from evil. No, not evil—yes, from evil, she had wanted to shout: André's going to deliver me from the evil I carry and from the evil I've done. \"Oh, mon Dieu, Malcolm, I am all right and don't want to move!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please don't cry, my darling, please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Then leave me be, it's all right, Malcolm. I'm quite safe, I always was safe and Doctor Babcott has given me something to stop this shaking, haven't you, Doctor?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's right, Malcolm,\" Babcott had said, \"and please don't worry, Angelique's perfectly all right, she'll be right as rain when she wakes up. It would be better not to move her. Not to worry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But I bloody do!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tonight, perhaps she can move bac—\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "⚠️ Required: Use 'disturb' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No,\" she had whimpered, tears spilling, \"not tonight, perhaps to morrow.\"\n\nThank God for tears, she thought again as she watched Malcolm plod over to the bed, knowing that this Heaven-given weapon against men, thought to be a weakness, was a mighty shield. His smile was fine but she noticed the dark rings under his eyes that seemed strange and an air of weariness.\n\n\"I dropped by earlier but you were dozing and I didn't want to disturb you.\"\n\n\"You would never disturb me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His concern and love was so open and so deep that she had to fight to keep quiet and not helplessly scream the truth. \"Don't worry, my dear one, everything will be wonderful soon, I promise.\"\n\nHe sat in a chair beside the bed, telling her about the near-riot and how Sir William had stopped it so quickly. \"He's a good man in many ways,\" he told her, but he was thinking: not in others. He and Norbert had been forewarned about their summons into his presence tomorrow morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once they had met privately: \"It's none of Wee Willie's bloody business,\" Norbert had agreed sourly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Let him concentrate on Japanners and getting the fleet back! Listen, the intruder, I hear you identified him as one of old Canterbury's murderers, the other Tokaidō bastard?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, I didn't, I think he was a different man though he'd certainly been shot. Hoag said he was the same one he operated on at Kanagawa.\"\n\n\"Why was he at her window, eh?\"\n\n\"I don't know—it's weird. Just a thief, I suppose.\"\n\n\"It's right weird. A Catholic too. Weird...\"\n\nStruan saw that Angelique was waiting for him to continue and he wondered if he should bring the subject out into the open, the why of that man, to ask for her ideas and give her his, but she looked so tiny and defenseless that he decided to wait for another time and another day—the sod's dead whoever he was and that's that." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'about' precisely 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When I come back after dinner I'll bring the latest Illustrated London News, there's a great article about the latest London fashions...\"\n\nAngelique listened with half an ear, avoiding the clock on the mantelpiece that tick-tocked the minutes delicately. André had told her he would return from the Yoshiwara about nine that evening, that she should have a pot of warm green tea ready, and something sweet to eat as the mixture might be foul-tasting. Also some towels, and it would be best not to take any more of Babcott's sleeping draft.\n\nShe glanced at the clock." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "6:46. It's so long, the waiting, she thought, her anxiety increasing. Then the inner voices became alive again. Don't worry, they whispered, the hours will quickly pass and then you are free, don't forget you won, Angelique, you were so brave and so clever, you did everything perfectly—don't worry about anything, you lived and he died and it was the only way you, or any woman, could have lived—soon you will be free, of him, of it, and all that has gone before will be no more than a bad dream...\n\nI'll be free, thank God, thank God.\n\nThe relief surged through her." }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'white' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled at him. \"How handsome you look, Malcolm. Your evening clothes are perfect.\"\n\nHer warmth jerked him out of his gloom, everything dreadful surrounding him—except her. He beamed. \"Oh, Angel, if it wasn't for you I think I'd explode.\" Tonight he had taken much trouble to select the right silk evening clothes and the finest doeskin half-boots, pure white silk ruffled shirt and white cravat with a ruby pin that his father had given him on his last birthday, his twentieth, May 21st." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only six more months and then I am free, he thought, free to do whatever I like. \"You're the only thing that keeps me sane, Angel,\" he said, and his smile banished the last of her devils.\n\n\"Thank you, my darling,\" she said. \"Explode? Why?\"\n\n\"It's just business,\" he said, matter-of-fact, avoiding the real issues. \"Damned politicians are messing up our markets in their usual, obsessive pursuit of personal power, money and advancement, it never changes no matter what country, creed or color. Overall the Noble House is in fine fettle, thank God,\" he told her, sluffing over the crisis they were facing in Hawaiian sugar and Brock's increasing stranglehold over Struan's markets and borrowing facilities." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yesterday an openly hostile letter arrived from the Victoria Bank, Hong Kong's central bank and Brock-dominated, a copy of one sent to Tess Struan, Managing Director, Struan's, his copy addressed, M. Struan, Esq., Yokohama, For Information Only:" }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'ignoble' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Madam: This is just to remind Struan's it has ignoble debts, and too much paper supported by questionable assets and ignoble profits, the most of which paper becomes due January 31st, and to inform you, Madam, again, that repayment of all said highly unNoble paper the Bank owns is required on due date. I have the honor to be, Madam, yr obedient servant.\n\nNever mind those poxy bastards, he thought with certitude, I'll find a way to outsmart them and all the Brocks. Killing Norbert will be a good beginning. Our managers and staff are excellent, our fleet's still the best and our captains loyal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Never mind the Brocks and the rumors, Angel, we can deal with them, we always have. The American civil war has boosted our profits enormously. We're helping the South to run cotton through the Northern blockade for our Lancashire mills and bringing back all the powder, shot, guns and cannon that Birmingham can make, half for the South, half for the North—with everything else our factories can invent and provide, machinery, presses, and shoes and ships and sealing wax. British output is gigantic, Angelique, more than fifty percent of the world's industrial goods. Then we've our tea trade and Bengali opium to China, a bumper crop this year—I've an idea how to buy Indian cotton to boost the American lack—and together with all our usual cargoes... England is the richest and most prosperous country on earth and you're beautiful.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you, kind sir! Je t'aime—I really do love you, Malcolm, I know I'm very difficult, but I do, and I'll make you a wonderful wife, I promise, an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had heaved himself out of his chair and stopped her with a kiss—his strong cigar smell and pomade manly and pleasant. His arms embracing her were muscular and strong, one hand straying to her breast and she felt its heavy roughness, his lips hard with the faintest taste of brandy. Just the opposite to him.\n\nForget him, the voices whispered.\n\nI can't, not yet." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bending over her like this was a dreadful strain on his wounded back and stomach muscles so he straightened with an effort though he would have gladly taken her now—had he her acquiescence—whatever the pain. \"The sooner we're married, the better,\" he said, sure that he had felt her lips and breast and body respond.\n\n\"Oh yes, please, yes.\"\n\n\"Christmas. That's only next month.\"\n\n\"Do you think... sit down, my darling, and rest a moment. Should we discuss... when should we return to Hong Kong?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I—I haven't decided.\" Much of his bonhomie went at the thought of having to face his mother." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'before' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Perhaps we should go back next week an—\"\n\n\"Not till I'm fit.\" And off the painkiller, he thought, his insides grinding, then I can deal with her and Brock and the bloody bank. Just before coming here he had had the second dose of the day, earlier than usual.\n\nI'll have a last one before sleeping, then tomorrow start fresh." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once a day from now on." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Couldn't start today—last night and the problem with Norbert and... well, yesterday was especially rotten. \"Don't trouble your lovely head.\"\n\n\"But I worry over you very much. Malcolm, I'd never want to interfere with anything, but I do worry about you. And there is something that I feel I must mention,\" she said carefully. \"The trouble between you and Jamie. Isn't there anything I—\"\n\nHis sudden smile stopped her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Jamie's all right now, my darling. That's today's good news. This evening I sent for him and he apologized for being difficult. He even renewed his oath to support me in everything. Every thing.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, that's wonderful, I'm so pleased.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just before coming here Jamie McFay had asked to see him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sorry to interrupt you, but I wanted to clear the air and try to make a peace and try, a last time, to dissuade you from the duel: Norbert will surely try to kill you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sorry, but it's none of your affair, and I'll certainly try to kill him. I agree it's a good idea to clear the air, once and for all: Jamie, will you obey me as tai-pan or are you going back on your holy oath?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, I will obey the tai-pan as I swore.\"\n\n\"Good. After we see Sir William tomorrow, secretly ask Norbert if next Wednesday suits him—yes, Jamie, I know it's his birthday. The racecourse, behind the stands, first light. On your head keep it secret, don't even tell Dmitri.\"\n\n\"If you kill him you'll have to leave Japan quickly.\"\n\n\"I've thought about that. Our clipper Storming Cloud will be in the roads. We'll board her and go to Hong Kong. There I can, well, arrange matters whatever happens.\"\n\n\"I hate this whole idea.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, but never mind. You remember your oath and will stick by it?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Jamie. Let's be friends again...\"\n\nThrough his haze of excitement, he heard Angelique saying, \"Oh, how happy that makes me,\" and had to make an effort not to burst out with the news that he had set a date for the duel, when his own revenge on the House of Brocks, at long last, would begin. Angel will know soon enough and be proud of me, he thought confidently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No need to worry about Jamie, my darling, or about Hong Kong. Or anything.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Malcolm, dear, may I please write to your mama?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "she asked, knowing that she must begin to bring the enemy to battle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "André had warned her that Tess Struan's power within the company was immense, and influence over Malcolm, his brother and sisters, equally vast—reminding her that he was a minor, therefore without Tess's approval the marriage could not take place for months, and without her benevolence might never happen. As if I needed reminding, she thought. \"I want to assure her of my undying affection and my promise to become the best daughter-in-law in the whole wide world.\"\n\nHe beamed at the idea. \"Excellent! I'll write one too and we'll send them off together.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He took her hand." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No woman so stunning as you should also be so thoughtful and kind. I know she's going to love you as much as I do.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again Hiraga said, \"When gai-jin run away, shoya say me to go quick'ry—he very 'fraid of the samurai, very 'fraid.\"\n\n\"I can believe that.\" Tyrer shifted in his chair, Hiraga opposite him, uncomfortable too. The sitting room of the small bungalow in the Legation grounds that Tyrer shared with Dr. Babcott was sparsely furnished, with a few chairs, two desks and the smell of ointments and salves from pots of medicaments on shelves lining one wall. Windows were open to the night and though it was not cold Hiraga shivered, still unsettled by his near capture. The moment the rioters had rushed away and he could escape the back way he had told the shoya and ashigaru, \"You know what'll happen if I'm caught here! Better silence... better silence and a quick beating that will soon be forgotten than a trek to prison which none of us—or your wife and children—will survive. Sonno-joi!\"\n\nTyrer was saying, \"But I don't understand why one moment that officer was sane, the next a brute, and the next sane again with everyone pretending nothing had happened.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga sighed. \"All so simp're, Tairasan. The captain sure ashigaru 'ried... sure not say truth, and shoya not say truth, and men not say truth so he beat them to save face—not say truth to samurai is very bad, against 'raw, so very bad. Punishment correct so everyone happy, no more prob'rem.\"\n\n\"Maybe for them,\" Tyrer said gloomily, \"but we have lots of problems. Sir William isn't at all happy, either with the rotter who was killed—or with you.\"\n\n\"I no prob'rem, I not attack, men attack me.\"\n\n\"Sorry, Nakama, that's not the point. He says you are an irritant, an unnecessary complication. Sorry. But he's right. The authorities will soon know you're here, if they don't already. Then they'll demand that we hand you over—we can't avoid that and eventually we'll have to comply.\"\n\n\"P'rease? Not understand.\"\n\nIt took Tyrer several attempts with simpler words to make his meaning clear, then he added, \"Sir William told me to tell you it's best you sneak off, disappear while you can.\"\n\nHiraga's heart almost stopped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ever since he had escaped the trap in the village he had been frantically trying to devise a way to negate the inevitable results of the riot, and of being seen—the samurai officer would surely realize a shishi was loose in the Settlement." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No solution had occurred except that he must remain in hiding here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To attempt flight now was even more dangerous. Samurai vigilance would be vastly increased, and if they realized he was Hiraga of the poster...\n\nHe wanted to scream aloud, his mind disarrayed by the rushing events and the depths of the panic and fear he had endured since Ori's betrayal. Then his ears focused and he heard a key word in Tyrer's rambling on about \"how sorry he was to lose such a valuable ally in his search for Japanese knowledge but there seems to be no way of avoiding it...\"\n\nHis head cleared. \"Have idea, Tairasan,\" he said softly. \"Bad for me go now, I sure die. Want he'rp Ing'erish friends, want to be va'ru'ber a'rry, very va'ru'ber friend. I know about Satsuma daimyo, know Satsuma secrets. Shoya give me mandy... sorry, give me many informations. I can exp'rain how make Satsuma obey, perhaps even Bakufu obey. I want to he'rp. Ask Sir Wrum: I give informations to keep gai-jin safe, you keep me safe and give me informations, fair exchange. Friends, neh?\"\n\nExcitedly Tyrer thought through the offer: Sir William will surely agree, but only if the information is truly valuable, and only if it comes direct from questioning Nakama himself." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'sorry' (3x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That means... oh God, I can't! \"I'd have to let Willie in on the secret that you speak English. No way to avoid that, and I just can't blurt out that I've been hiding such vital info, I'd get sacked for certain. Can't risk that, not when Willie's in such a foul mood!\" Better Nakama leaves before my head's on the block and he's an international incident. \"Sorry,\" he said, in despair. \"It's not possible.\"\n\n\"Ah, so sorry, perhaps have way,\" Hiraga said, and made a final gambit to give himself time. \"Have message from Fujiko—eeee, Tairasan, you make great mark on her, now she thinks you very best friend. Mama-san say, so sorry, but Fujiko yesterday begin woman's sick, month'ry sick, so cannot receive you for one, two days.\" He had seen Tyrer's immediate disappointment, followed by resignation and anticipation in quick order." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A gust of laughter took Akimoto, so infectious that Hiraga joined in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Eeee, Hiraga-san, brilliant to manipulate the gai-jin like that! Brilliant! Saké, bring more saké!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were lolling in their isolated room in the grounds of the Three Carp, shoji windows closed against the night insects." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sprigs of autumn maple in a green vase decorated the alcove." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oil lamps. Their swords on racks beside them, and when the maid had left and they had refilled their cups and quaffed them, Akimoto said, \"What happened next?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"After little fish Taira swallowed the bait, we went to bow before the Great Grouper who gorged on both. I told him that unbeknownst to Taira I spoke some English that I had learned from Dutchmen from Deshima...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And that's no lie,\" Akimoto said, and replenished their cups." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had gone to the same school for gifted Choshu samurai at Shimonoseki but had not been selected for the language classes, instead he had been ordered to specialize in Western naval affairs, taught by a retired Dutch sea captain." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Baka that I never learned Dutch or English. What did the gai-jin leader say?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not too much. Taira pretended to be equally astonished as we had agreed. It was easy to divert the man with unimportant information about Satsuma, about Sanjiro and his fortress at Kagoshima, some of their history and so on,\" Hiraga said easily, although the meeting had not been easy at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The questions had been probing and he had found it difficult to convince the leader his pretended sincerity was genuine." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In his anxiety to get permission to stay he had told more than he wished, both about the political situation of the outside lords of Satsuma and Tosa but also about his own fief of Choshu, and even about the shishi." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He felt a new heaving in his stomach, remembering the cold blue, fishlike eyes staring at him that somehow had squeezed knowledge out of him, and the final, curt: \"I will consider allowing you to stay a few more days. We will talk again tomorrow. Meanwhile you will move back into the Legation for safety.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Better I to stay shoya, Sir W'rum-sama.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You will move into the Legation tonight and stay with Mr. Tyrer, leaving only with his permission or mine. When you are on the streets you will be most careful to avoid inflaming any of our people. You will obey without question or you will be marched to the North Gate... at once!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again he had feigned a meekness and most abject thanks but inside he had seethed at the man's lack of manners and was still seething, and more determined than ever to implement Ori's plan to burn the Settlement—at a time of his own choosing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All gods, if there are any, curse all gai-jin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Saké?\" Akimoto asked, a dribble sliding down his chin." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, thank you.\" His face twisted with anger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ori! Baka that he's dead before I could kill him.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, but dead, so is Shorin. Nothing but trouble, both of them, like all Satsumas. The men,\" he added hastily, remembering Shorin's sister, Sumomo, \"not the women.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Satsumas are trouble, I agree,\" Hiraga said darkly." }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'where' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"As to Sumomo, I don't know where to send for news of her, where she is or if she reached home safely—that could take her weeks, and more weeks for Father to send word here. News would take two, maybe three months.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You asked Katsumata to watch for her. He will have spies out from here to Kyōto. She can take care of herself, that one. You'll hear soon.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Akimoto scratched his crotch irritably." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To see Hiraga so unsettled was disturbing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know we're almost locked in here. The Bakufu Enforcer patrols have been reinforced and they wander in and out at random. All the mama-sans are nervous and after the riot today, Raiko... she will not let us stay much longer.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"As long as we pay we will stay. And as long as the tunnel is safe we can escape by sea if necessary. Curse Ori!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Forget him,\" Akimoto said impatiently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What should we do?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wait. The gai-jin will provide us with cover—Taira will see to it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Because of Fujiko? Eeee, he is mad. What does he see in that drab? I cannot fathom that. She is nothing but a drab.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akimoto laughed and ran his fingers through the stubble of his hair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Think I will try her one night, just to see if anything is special—even though she's polluted.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Try her tonight if you want, Taira won't be using her.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Raiko will already have given her other clients—she's rapacious.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, but Fujiko's already paid for.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My new arrangement is that Raiko will not offer Fujiko elsewhere unless she and I agree first—so I can keep her available for Taira at a moment's notice, in case I decide. Try her if you want, she is cheap enough.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good, I need all the cash I have left. Raiko squeezed a down payment out of me, rumbling about the extent of my credit.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akimoto grinned and drained the flask into his cup." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I want to bribe one of the fishermen to take me out to the frigate—perhaps I can talk myself aboard one of the warships, pretending to sell fish. I must see inside an engine room, one way or another.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga's stomach heaved, thinking about his own visit." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps I could get Taira to take me again, with you this time. I can pretend you are the son of an important Choshu merchant, a shipbuilder, anxious to do business with them, but any business must be kept secret from the Bakufu.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Secret? How long will we be secret here?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A tremble went through him. \"It's cold tonight,\" he said, to cover his fear, which once again Akimoto politely feigned not to notice." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few metres away in her own quarters Raiko had finished her makeup and was dressing for the evening. She decided on the new pink kimono. A large heron decorated the back, embroidered with gold filaments. For many months she had coveted it. Now it was hers, paid for with part of the profit garnered from the hugely successful sale of the pearl earrings. They proved to be even more valuable than she had estimated." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eeee, she thought happily, the kami and gods that look after mama-sans were looking after me that day. A major business coup, all profit except for Furansu-san's part. Money for the medicine was hardly worth considering though she had put a substantial debit in her open set of books. She smiled to herself. The cost was nothing but the knowledge of which plant and who could harvest it, at what correct season and how to make the infusion, ah, that was worth whatever the market would stand.\n\n\"The gai-jin princess will be a marvelous, long-term asset,\" she murmured contentedly, pleased with what she saw in her full-length mirror." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the only modern one in the whole Yoshiwara, imported especially for her from England, a present from a client. A small frown creased her forehead as she thought of him: Kanterberri, the gai-jin who was killed on the Tokaidō by those fools Ori and Shorin. Baka! He was a good client and most appreciative of my services in finding him the perfect mistress, Akiko, whose name is now Fujiko—very convenient for us that our Ing'erish gai-jin rarely share their women, prefer to fornicate in secret, with one woman, keeping her secret in our Floating World that is based on discretion and secrecy.\n\nTaira none the wiser, Fujiko a new life and new lover. Good for everyone.\n\n\"Mistress? The gai-jin Furansu-san has arrived.\"\n\n\"Good.\" Raiko made sure the medicine was correct and put it beside the table." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When she had kept André waiting the precise amount of time, neither too little nor too much, she sent for him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Furansu-san, welcome to my humble House.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She poured thimbles of her best saké and toasted him. \"You're looking well.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Health! Ten thousand summers,\" André replied politely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She discussed the weather and the state of business and then came to the first point. \"Your choice of earrings was more perfect than I thought, your share comes to a little over double what you asked.\"\n\nHis eyes widened, \"Jésus, so much?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" She poured more saké, filled with glee at her acumen on both their behalfs for, of course, once a business deal was finally agreed between them, it was a matter of face that it was honored exactly. \"My bank, the Gyokoyama, found the client, a Chinese silk and opium merchant from Shanghai who was visiting Kanagawa.\" Another smile. She added delicately, \"He indicated that he would be in the market for as many such trinkets as I could offer.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His smile matched hers and he drained his cup and held it for a refill and toasted her, \"To future trinkets!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Next, the...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Before next, Raiko. Why he pay so much?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In bad times a wise man puts part of his wealth into tiny things he can carry in his sleeve. He's no fool—I considered holding on to them myself for the same reason.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His interest quickened. \"What bad times in China?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He said that all China was in revolt, famine everywhere, gai-jin business in Shanghai less than usual, though now that the English fleet laid waste the Mirs coast and sank many of the White Lotus pirates, the sea-lanes would be safe for a while and trade up and down the Yangtze would pick up in the spring. Eeee, Furansu-san, I hear they sank hundreds of junks and massacred thousands, many villages now in ashes.\" Her fear was open. \"Their killing power is terrible.\"\n\nShe shuddered, knowing that though Japanese despised Chinese as weaklings, they shared the same great phobia: fear of gai-jin and an obsession to keep them forever out of their lands. \"Will gai-jin fleets come against us when they return?\"\n\n\"Yes, Raiko, if Bakufu not pay reparations money. War, yes. Not here, not Yokohama. Yedo.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She studied her cup for a moment, wondering how she could further protect herself and turn this to profit, more than ever convinced that she must, somehow, quickly rid herself of Hiraga and Akimoto before it was discovered that she was implicated in the Ori disaster by harboring him and them, however righteous sonno-joi was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A wave of apprehension went through her and she fanned herself, complaining about the strength of the saké." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Karma,\" she said, and shrugged off what \"might be\" for what \"is.\" \"Now, some more good news: There is a girl I would like you to meet.\"\n\nAndré's heart seemed to skip, and then, when it started again, it was more weak than before. \"Meet when?\"\n\n\"Do you wish to see her before we discuss business matters, or after?\"\n\n\"Before, after, no difference. Will pay what ask, if like.\" Again a Gallic shrug and the stark, naked desperation." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It touched her not at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why should it? she was thinking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Yang's hunger for the Yin is the essence of our world and without it our Floating World would float no more." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Strange that the Yang's obsession to join with the Yin—in and out, battering at the gate, more pain than pleasure, desperate to end, desperate to continue, if to end never enough, if not to end moaning in the night—is all so transient, the Yin never so grasping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In that women are blessed, though the gods, if there are gods, have dealt all mortals a cruel hand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Three times I have tried to go onwards, always because my Yin craved the possessor of a particular Yang—when a Yang is always more or less the same—always useless choices that brought nothing but misery, with no future and twice my passion unrequited. How foolish! Why?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No one knows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind. Now the yearning of the Yin can be quenched so easily, and for a mama-san, toyed with." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'indeed' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Easy to employ a Yang, or harigata, or to invite one of the Ladies to your bed. Fujiko, for example, who seems to enjoy the diversion and whose kiss can be celestial.\n\n\"Raiko know me, yes?\" André was saying, and she thought, Indeed I do. \"I know Raiko.\" Indeed you do not. \"We old friends. Old friends always help old friends.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "True, true, but you and I are not old friends—not in its special Asian sense—and never will be. You are gai-jin.\n\n\"Furansu-san, old friend,\" she said. \"I will arrange a meeting, you and this Lady.\"\n\nHe felt weak and tried to hide it. \"Yes. Thank you.\"\n\n\"It will be soon. Last, the medicine.\" She reached down beside the table." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The small package was carefully tied in a square of russet silk as invitingly presented as an expensive gift. \"Listen carefully.\" Again her instructions were explicit. She made him repeat them until she was sure he understood.\n\n\"Raiko-san. Please, say truth, medicine dangerous, yes, no?\"\n\n\"Eeee, truth? Am I not a serious person? I am Raiko of the Three Carp. Have I not already told you? Of course it could be dangerous and of course not dangerous! This is an ordinary problem that happens all the time to all girls and the cure is rarely a problem. Your princess is young and strong and so it should be easy, with no problems.\"\n\n\"Princess?\" His features hardened." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"That was easy to guess. How many women are there in the Settlement, special enough for you to help? Never worry, old friend. The secret is safe with me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You know who for?\"\n\n\"That was easy to guess. How many women are there in the Settlement, special enough for you to help? Never worry, old friend. The secret is safe with me.\"\n\nAfter a pause, he said, \"What problem possible?\"\n\n\"Stomach pain and no result, just very sick. Then we must try a second time, with stronger medicine. If that does not work then there is another way.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Time enough for that later.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Confidently Raiko patted the silk." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This should be all that is necessary.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You understand, Angelique?\"\n\n\"Yes, André,\" she said, her eyes on the silk-wrapped package. Her salvation sat on his desk. They kept their voices down though the office door was closed against unwanted ears.\n\nHis clock chimed 10:00 p.m." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked back at her uneasily. \"The mama-san told me it would be best if you had your maid with you.\"\n\n\"That's not possible, André, it's not possible to trust Ah Soh, or anyone—didn't you tell her that?\"\n\n\"Yes, but that's what she said.\" From across the corridor they could hear the muted sounds of men laughing over the dinner table that she had just left—Seratard, Vervene, Dmitri and a few French officers—saying she was tired and wanted an early night." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Going to her suite, by prior arrangement, she had happened to see André in his office." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We'd... we'd best check that everything's there.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He made no move to undo the silk. Instead he toyed nervously with a corner. \"If Ah Soh's not there to help, who... who will dispose of... of the bottles and herbs and... you can't leave them around, and who will clean up?\"\n\nFor a moment her brain became addled for, foolishly, she had not considered this problem. \"I—I won't need help, there won't be... nothing except the bottles and herbs... and towels. I can't trust Ah Soh, obviously I can't trust her, or anyone, only you. I won't need help.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her anxiety to begin the treatment and have done with this forever capped all the worries that swirled about her. \"Don't worry, I'll bolt my door and... and tell her that I'll sleep late and not to disturb me. I... it should all be over in a few hours, by dawn, yes?\"\n\n\"God willing, yes, that's what the mama-san told me. I still think you should risk Ah Soh.\"\n\n\"You're not thinking clearly, no, not at all. You're the only one I can trust. Knock on my door early, like this.\" She rapped the table thrice, then once." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'll open it only to you.\" Impatiently she untied the silk. Inside were two small corked bottles and a packet of herbs. \"I drink one bottle at once and then...\"\n\n\"Mon Dieu, no,\" he said, wearily interrupted her, his nerves as taut as hers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You must do everything in the correct order, Angelique. First you put the herbs to infuse in the pot of hot water you've arranged. When that's done drink one bottle, drink it quickly and don't worry if it tastes foul, use the honeyed green tea or a sweet to take away the taste.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I've some Swiss chocolates Monsieur Erlicher gave me, will those do?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate this exact phrase, preserving the quotation marks: \"No, I already told you, no! The mama-san said that normally nothing happens until some hours later—it should be like a—a strong stomach cramp.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, of course.\" He used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his hands, his imagination taking him down all kinds of lurid passages. \"When the infusion is tepid, say after half an hour, sip half of the brew—it won't taste good either. Then relax and wait, go to sleep.\"\n\n\"Will there be a reaction, will I feel anything yet?\"\n\n\"No, I already told you, no! The mama-san said that normally nothing happens until some hours later—it should be like a—a strong stomach cramp.\" The more he talked about it the less he liked being involved." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if something goes wrong?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'cramp' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mon Dieu, I hope there's not a second time, he thought queasily and tried to push the bad away—and embarrassment—and be clinical.\n\n\"It should just be like a stomach cramp,\" he said, sweating even more. \"That's the beginning, Angelique, a cramp. I'll start again: Drink the first bottle, then sip half the infusion, half of it, remember you must do everything in the correct sequence—relax and try to go to sleep, the more relaxed you are the easier it will be. When the—the cramps begin, gulp the last bottle, take some honey or sweet, then sip the last of the infusion—sip it, don't swig it down. The cramps will increase and then—then it should begin to... the mama-san said it would be like a heavy monthly, so... so be prepared with a... a towel.\" Again he used his handkerchief. \"It's close in here tonight, isn't it?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It's cold and there's no need to be nervous.\" She uncorked one of the bottles and smelt the contents. Her nose wrinkled. \"Worse than a Parisian street toilet in August.\"\n\n\"You're sure you remember the sequence?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes. Don't worry, I'll—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A knock on the door startled them. Hastily she scooped up the two bottles and packet of herbs and put them in her bag. \"Come in,\" André said.\n\nDr. Babcott dwarfed the doorway. \"Ah, Angelique, the servant told me you were here. I just popped in on the off chance of seeing you a moment. 'Evening, André.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"'Evening, Monsieur.\"\n\n\"Ah, Doctor, I'm really all right,\" she said, a sudden twinge of disquiet under his penetrating gaze. \"No need t—\"\n\n\"Just wanted to take your temperature, count your pulse and see if you needed a sedative. Always best to check.\" When she began to protest he added firmly and kindly, \"Best to check, Angelique, always safer to check, won't take a minute.\"\n\n\"Come along then.\" She said good night to André and led the way down the corridor to her suite." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah Soh was waiting in her boudoir. \"Ah Soh,\" Babcott said politely in Cantonese, \"please come back when I call you.\"\n\n\"Certainly, Honorable Doctor.\" Obediently she left.\n\n\"I didn't know you spoke Chinese, George,\" Angelique said as he sat beside her and began to count her pulse rate.\n\n\"That was Cantonese, Chinese don't have one language, Angelique, but hundreds of different languages, though only one form of writing they can all understand. Curious, what?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include 'pulse' 2 time(s) in your answer - no more, no less" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How stupid to tell me what I already know, she thought impatiently, wanting to scream at him, Do hurry up! As if I haven't been in Hong Kong, as if Malcolm, and everyone else hasn't told me a hundred times—as if I've forgotten you're the cause of all my misfortune.\n\n\"I picked it up while I was in Hong Kong,\" he continued absently, feeling her brow and the pulse in her wrist, noting that her heart was racing and there was the slightest sheen of perspiration on her forehead—nothing to worry about considering her ordeal. \"A few words here and there. Spent a couple of years at the General Hospital—we could certainly use such a fine place here.\" He kept his fingertips lightly on her pulse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Chinese doctors believe there are seven levels of heartbeats, or pulses. They say they can sense them probing deeper and deeper. It's their main diagnostic method.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And what do you hear from my seven hearts?\" she asked impulsively, enjoying the warmth of his healing hands and, in spite of her hatred, wishing she could trust him. She had never felt such hands or the good sensation that seemed to radiate from them to calm her.\n\n\"I hear nothing but good health,\" he said, wondering if there was any truth to the seven pulses theory. In his years in Asia he had witnessed remarkable insights and cures by Chinese doctors—along with an abundance of superstitious nonsense." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The world's strange, but people are more strange." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked back at her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His eyes were grey and very direct and kind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But there were shadows there and she saw them.\n\n\"Then... then what troubles you?\" she asked, suddenly frightened that he had diagnosed her real condition.\n\nHe hesitated, then reached into his pocket and brought out a piece of tissue paper. Inside the tissue was her little gold cross." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"This is yours, I think.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In violent turmoil she stared at it, her lips dry and not moving though her head had conjured up an immediate denial and shrug that were replaced in the same nauseating instant with: \"I—I certainly... lost one like it. Are you sure it's mine? Where did you find it?\"\n\n\"Around the neck of the would-be interloper.\"\n\n\"His neck? How... how odd,\" she heard herself say, watching herself as though she were another person, her voice another person's, forcing herself to be controlled even though she wanted to screech aloud for she knew she was again in the vise—her brain frenzied to concoct a plausible reason. \"Around his neck?\"\n\n\"Yes, I took it off the body. Thought nothing of it at the time, except that the man was a Catholic convert. Quite by chance, I saw the inscription—it's hardly noticeable.\" A short nervous laugh." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required text (preserve exact wording): \"Poor Mama, she died birthing my brother just four years later.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My eyesight is better than Hoag's. 'To Angelique from Mama. 1844.'\"\n\nHer mouth said, \"Poor Mama, she died birthing my brother just four years later.\" She saw her fingers pick up the crucifix and examine it, squinting in the oil light, unable to read the tiny writing clearly—cursing the writing. Then her instinct committed her and she said, \"I lost it, or thought I lost it at—at the Tokaidō, perhaps at Kanagawa, the night I went to see Malcolm, remember?\"\n\n\"Oh, yes. Bad night, very bad... bad day too.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott got up hesitantly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I, er, I thought you should have it.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, thank you, I'm glad to have it back. So very glad, but please sit down, don't go yet,\" she said, much as she wanted him to go. \"Who was he, that man, and how would he have found it? And where?\"\n\n\"We'll never know, not now.\" Babcott watched her. \"Did Malcolm tell you we think he was one of the Tokaidō murdering devils, though neither he nor Phillip are sure?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In spite of her dread as she squirmed in this new trap, she had an overwhelming impulse to laugh hysterically and say. He wasn't a devil, not to me, not the first time, he left me alive the first time, and not a devil after I changed him. He didn't kill me though I know he was going to, I know he was going to just before I made him leave... Devil, no, but even so he deserved to die, had to die...\n\nMon Dieu, I still don't even know his name, I was so enmeshed I forgot to ask... I must be going mad to think such things. \"Who was he?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No one knows. Yet. The Satsuma king could name him now that he's dead, but it would probably be a false name. They're such liars—that's not quite true, it's just that what we call lying seems to be a way of life with them. Probably the man found the cross at Kanagawa. You don't remember exactly when you discovered it had gone?\"\n\n\"No, I don't. It was only when I got back here...\" Again she saw his probing, questioning eyes and her mind screamed: Did my pulse or pulses tell him my real condition? \"It's found. Good, thank God. I can't thank you enough but why should he wear it or keep it, that's what I can't understand.\"\n\n\"I agree, very odd.\"\n\nThe silence grew. \"What does Dr. Hoag think?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Babcott looked at her but she could not read what he was really thinking. \"I didn't ask him,\" he said, \"didn't discuss it with him, or with Malcolm.\" His eyes went back to hers and seemed to take on a deeper color. \"Hoag's a Struan man and he, well... his rice bowl is with Tess Struan. I don't know why, but I thought I should talk to you first.\"\n\nAgain a silence. She looked away, not trusting herself, wishing she could truly trust him, wanting to trust someone other than André—his knowing was bad enough—but sure beyond sure it was impossible." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had to keep to the plan: she was alone, she must save herself alone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps...\" she said, \"no, surely he must have found my crucifix at Kanagawa, must have seen me there and—and perhaps...\" She stopped then hurried on, leading him on, inventing as she continued, \"perhaps he kept it to remind him of me, to... I don't really know, to what?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He said awkwardly, \"To obviously do you harm, my dear, to possess you, one way or another, kill you. Sorry, but that must be the truth. At first I thought, like everyone else, that he was just one of these outlaws called ronin, but your crucifix changed all that. The moment I discovered it was yours... It must be as you say, he saw you at the Tokaidō, he and the other man must have followed Malcolm and Phillip Tyrer to Kanagawa to finish them off, probably to avoid identification. Then he saw you again, found the crucifix and kept it because it was yours, pursued you here and tried to break in to, sorry again, to possess you, whatever the cost. Don't forget it would be easy for such a man to be infatuated by such a person as you, to be, to be obsessed.\"\n\nThe way he said it made it clearer than ever he too was within her spell. Good, and good that he's realized the truth, she thought, faint with relief that another hazard had been eliminated. Her mind strayed to the little bottles and to tomorrow when she would be cleansed, to start her new life, the future wonderful.\n\n\"Japanese are a curious people,\" he was saying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Different. But different in one major way, they're not afraid to die. They almost seem to seek it. You were lucky, so lucky to escape. Well, I'll be off.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, and thank you, thank you.\" She caught his hand and pressed it to her cheek. \"You'll tell Malcolm and Dr. Hoag? Then that will end it.\"\n\n\"I'll leave Malcolm to you.\" For a second he considered asking her help with Malcolm's opium addiction but decided it was not yet urgent, and anyway it was his own responsibility, not hers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor Angelique, she has enough to deal with." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As to Hoag, what does it matter to him, or to busybodies and wagging tongues in Yokohama? None of their affair, or mine, eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He saw her clear eyes in the radiant face smiling up at him, pellucid skin, all of her emanating youth and health together with the magnetic, unconscious sensuality perpetually surrounding her that had, against all medical expectation, increased in power. Astonishing, he thought, filled with wonder at her resilience. I only wish I knew her secret and why some people thrive on adversities that would break most others.\n\nAbruptly the doctor part of him fell away. I can't blame that ronin, or Malcolm, or anyone being mad for her, I want her too." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Curious about your cross,\" he said throatily, not a little ashamed." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But then, life's a collection of curiosities, isn't it? 'Night, my dear. Sleep well.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The first cramp clawed her out of a crooked sleep that was sated with prison hulks and sloe-eyed, raving demons, the women bloated with child, the men horned and grasping her away from Tess Struan, who stood guard over Malcolm like a malevolent ghoul. A second cramp followed quickly and brought her awake to reality and what was happening.\n\nRelief that it had begun obliterated the previous hours of trepidation, for it had seemed an eternity before she had slept. Now it was just past 4 a.m. The last time she looked at her clock it was almost 2:30. Another cramp, rougher than before, went through her and concentrated her on the sequence.\n\nTrembling fingers uncorked the second bottle. Again she gagged on the putrid taste and almost brought the liquid up but managed to keep it down with a spoon of honey, all the while her stomach churning with revulsion.\n\nShe lay back gasping. Fire seemed to spread from her stomach. In moments sweat poured out of her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then the sweating passed leaving her limp, soaked and hardly breathing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Waiting. As before, nothing. Just a bilious, sweet-sick disquiet that had, after hours of anxiety, drifted into troubled sleep. Her dismay crested. \"Blessed Mother, let it work, let it work,\" she murmured through her tears.\n\nMore waiting. Still nothing. The minutes passed.\n\nThen, unlike before, a startlingly different cramp almost doubled her up. Another. Just bearable. More, still bearable. She remembered the second half of the infusion and she sat up and began to sip it. The taste was bad but not as bad as the liquid in the bottles. \"Thank God I don't have to take more of that,\" she muttered, and sipped again. Another sip. After each sip a taste of chocolate...\n\nMore cramps, stronger now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "An increasing rhythm to them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Don't worry, everything's happening, she thought, just as André forecast. Her stomach muscles were beginning to feel stretched and angry. More sips and more cramps and then the last drop was down. Honey jar almost empty-last of the chocolate but now even its sweetness could not mask the bilious aftertaste. A draft from under the boudoir door swayed the flame of the lamp on the side table, making the wall shadows change and dance. Stoically she lay back and watched them, her hands holding her belly against the shafts of pain, the muscles tightening and loosening, becoming more tight, knotting under her fingers.\n\n\"Watch the shadows, think good thoughts,\" she whispered. \"What do you see?\"\n\nShips and sails and the roofs of Paris and brambles and, look, there's the guillotine, no, not the guillotine but a bower covered with climbing roses, why it's our country cottage near Versailles where we would go in the spring and summer growing up, my brother and I, darling Maman dead so long ago, Father gone only God knows where, Aunt and Uncle loving us but no substitute for darlin—\n\n\"Oh, Mon Dieu!\" she gasped as the first of the violent spasms slashed her, then cried out at the next, frantically crammed part of the sheet into her mouth to stop the shrieks that burst out of her and would have brought all the Legation pounding on her bolted door.\n\nThen the chills began." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ice picks into her guts." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And more violence, twenty times worse than the worst monthly cramps. Her body heaved against the strain, limbs twitching in time with the waves of torment that ripped from her loins and into her head. \"I'm going to die... I'm going to die,\" she moaned, her teeth grinding on the sheet, muffling the screams that followed with more spasms and chills and more, on and on and on and then stopping. Quite suddenly.\n\nAt first she thought she had truly died but soon her senses focused and she saw that the room had ceased spinning, the flame of the lamp was low but still burning and she heard the tick of the clock. The hands of the clock pointed to 5:42.\n\nShe struggled up in the bed, feeling awful. A glance in her hand mirror frightened her. Ashen features, hair lank with sweat, lips discolored by the medicine. She rinsed her mouth with some of the green tea and spat into the chamber pot and pushed it back under the bed again. Grimly she fought out of her soiled nightdress, used a damp towel to clean her face and neck as best she could, combed her hair and lay back exhausted but feeling better for the toil. It was only then that she noticed the red smear on her nightdress, thrown carelessly onto the threadbare carpet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A quick examination confirmed that blood was seeping." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She arranged a clean towel between her legs and, in the dawn, lay back once more, almost sinking into the mattress with fatigue. Warmth spread through her tired limbs. The flow increased." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Illustrious Chen said to tell you anything that might affect the tai-pan, Elder Sister,\" Ah Soh began uneasily. \"The night before last Golden Pubics started her monthly and sh—\"\n\n\"Ah, that's why she took to her bed and would not see my son,\" Ah Tok said. They were in her room at the end of the corridor, safe from prying ears. \"He was like a teething child all day, worse this morning, it's time we went home.\"\n\n\"Yes. But listen further: she says it's her monthly but I know her dates like my own. It seems not possible. Normally she is like any young civilized virgin, regular, though...\" Ah Soh toyed nervously with her smock, \"though now that I remember it her last one was sparse, almost as if she missed it.\"\n\nThe older woman belched and used a toothpick." }, { "from": "system", "value": "CONSTRAINT: Include 'voice' 2 time(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To miss, or to be little, or irregular with all the anxiety over my son's wounds and the vile, murdering barbarians surrounding us here is ordinary news, not unusual.\" On the table between them were various bowls with the remains of her lunch: sweet and sour soup, stir-fried mixed fresh vegetables, a ginger-basted fish with soy, pork slivers in black bean sauce, garlic prawns, and rice. \"It's ordinary, Younger Sister.\"\n\n\"What is un-ordinary is that yesterday morning when I went to bring her tea, and hot water to bathe, I had to bang several times to awaken her and she would not let me into her room, just shrieked rudely, 'Go away!' through the door in that vulgar voice of hers, and then\"—Ah Soh dropped her voice dramatically—\"just minutes later, Big Pointed Nose, that other sort of foreign devil our foreign devils call Frogs, he knocked softly like this.\" She rapped three times, then a fourth. \"She let him in at once!\"\n\nAh Tok blinked. \"At once? Him? The Frog? She let him in but not you? You saw him?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, but he did not see me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ayeeyah! That was clever. Go on, Younger Sister!\" Ah Tok said, now hanging on every word. \"Go on.\"\n\n\"He stayed a few minutes, then came out carrying things wrapped in a brown piece of silk. Like a thief in the darkest night. But he did not see me spying on him.\" Ah Soh paused again, loving—like all Chinese—to be the purveyor of gossip and secrets. \"... Or even when I followed him.\"\n\n\"By all gods great and small, you did?\" Ah Tok poured two glasses of the Madeira wine they savored." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Long life, Younger Sister, may your Jade Gate never trouble you. Go on, go on!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He went down to the shore and got into a rowing boat and rowed out to sea. After a while I saw him drop whatever it was over the side into the sea.\"\n\n\"No!\"\n\n\"Yes. Then he rowed back. But he didn't see me, never.\"\n\n\"What could it have been?\"\n\nAh Soh leaned closer. \"When Missee let me in I looked around carefully. Her bed and nightdress were soaked with sweat, and she looked as though she had had a Happy Valley fever. Her personal towels were soaked, heavier than usual. She told me to clean everything, to bring hot water and not to let anyone in—even the tai-pan. As soon as I had done what was necessary she flopped back in bed and went to sleep.\"\n\n\"That's not strange, but Pointed Nose is!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"Your Honored Son, is there a chance he has lain with her?\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah Tok nodded sagely. \"This is like donkey dung, shiny on the outside but still all dung. Clearly he disposed of something for her.\"\n\nAh Soh hesitated. \"Your Honored Son, is there a chance he has lain with her?\"\n\nAh Tok cackled. \"I am sure he has tried but Golden Pubics will not let his Celestial Stem relish the breaching of her Gate, though she flaunts it every chance she gets. I've heard him moaning her name in his sleep, poor man. Disgusting, if she was a civilized person we could arrange the price and that would end it.\"\n\nAh Soh watched Ah Tok thoughtfully pluck a piece of the decimated fish head with her chopsticks, suck the bone clean and spit it into her bowl. The younger woman would gladly have partaken of the leftovers, their cook not as good as Ah Tok's. \"How's your cook these days?\" she asked innocently." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Improving. The dog comes from my village so he had promise. I'm training him, of course.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah Tok grimaced. \"Baffling, Younger Sister. How is the Empress today?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Irritable as usual. The flow continues, stronger than normal. Medicine Man Giant came to see her this morning but she would not see him, told me to send him away. There's someth—\"\n\n\"Has my son seen her yet?\"\n\n\"She will see him this afternoon.\"\n\n\"Good, today his tongue's like an asp to his old mother over her. Pointed Nose and Pubics in a secret plot? Smelly, smelly indeed. Keep your eyes and ears open, Younger Sister.\"\n\n\"There's something else.\" Ah Soh's eyes rolled with excitement. She reached into her pocket and put the cork on the table. The lower part was stained purple to black." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I found this under the bed when I was reaching for the chamber pot.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The wrinkled face became even more wrinkled with puzzlement. \"So?\"\n\n\"Smell it, Elder Sister.\"\n\nAh Tok obeyed. The odor was pungent, slightly familiar. \"What is it?\"\n\n\"I cannot be sure... but it smells to me like Dark of the Moon. I think the bottle this corked contained Dark of the Moon... with other herbs.\"\n\nThe older woman gasped. \"The expeller? To cause a miscarriage? Impossible! Why should she want to do that?\"\n\n\"Very bad face for your son to be named a father before marriage, eh? You know how foreign devils carry on about marriage and scandals and virginity, no fornication before the wedding—the man always blamed, how foolish! Bad face for your son. Then there's Tai-tai Tess to answer to, as well as her foul and vengeful foreign devil god.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both women shuddered. Ah Tok sniffed the cork again." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 8 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You think Pointed Nose threw the bottle into the sea?\"\n\n\"I'm missing a teapot too, that could have been for the accompanying herbs, she wanted hot water and honey too.\"\n\n\"To take away the taste! Ayeeyah!\" Gravely Ah Tok said, \"My son is... is quite unbalanced about that woman.\"\n\n\"What should we do?\"\n\n\"You were right to tell me. We will write at once to Illustrious Chen and send him the cork in the first mail. He will know if you are right, and then what to do.\" Shakily Ah Tok poured another glass of wine for each of them. \"Keep your eyes wide, be like a clam, I will do the same—not a word to her, my son, or anyone until we hear from him what to do.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "I'll be your writing partner today. I will set the scene and character context, and you will continue with three sentences, keeping within the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm Struan was hobbling across the High Street heading for the Struan Building, leaning heavily on his sticks. The sky was overcast, a slight wind off the sea, the afternoon chilly and his crushing worry had dropped away. Seeing Angelique, convinced that she was all right, more lovely than ever, though pale and drowsy, had done it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had stayed only moments, not wanting to tire her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A group of mounted traders reined in politely to allow him to pass, raised their riding crops in salute. \"'Day to you, Tai-pan,\" Lunkchurch said, grim-faced like the others. \"Will you be at the Club at sundown?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What's amiss?\" Struan said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lunkchurch jerked his thumb at the squat, black-hulled, two-masted steamer anchored in the bay near Marlowe's frigate. She flew the flag of Brock and Sons. \"Her and her news. Norbert's called a meeting: just traders, not Sir William.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I was going to do the same. Sundown, good, I'll be there,\" Malcolm said tightly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ocean Witch—all Brock's major vessels were surnamed \"Witch\" as Struan's used \"Cloud\"—had unexpectedly arrived late yesterday evening with news, mails and the latest Hong Kong papers. \"Bloody stupid!\"\n\nMajor editorials in all papers were about Admiral Ketterer and the fleet's highly successful attack on Chinese pirate nests in and around Mirs Bay and that now he was en route to Shanghai for coaling. The Guardian, using big, angry type, summed up the problem:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a dispatch to the Governor, Admiral Ketterer wrote that they had suffered some casualties caused by Chinese shore batteries being armed with modern cannon—cannon made in Birmingham, emanating from Hong Kong, and acquired through fair means or foul by Wu Sung Choi, leader of the White Lotus fleets who, regrettably, was not captured or killed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Astonishingly, because of this minor incident (the cannon were spiked by a landing party of marines) the Admiral recommended that all sales of all arms—and all opium—be declared illegal and embargoed throughout Asia at once, particularly to China and Japan, with the stiffest penalties for any infraction.\n\nThis unwarranted interference with legitimate trade, this unconscionable imputation of blame on all China traders—renowned for their fair-mindedness, their intrepid Empire-building capabilities, their loyalty to Her Majesty, God Bless Her, and of putting the Mother Country before profit—must be protested in the strongest terms.\n\nThe Editors would like to ask the Admiral: Who provides the taxes to pay for the greatest navy the world has ever seen (of which he is undoubtedly an admirable member though clearly misinformed on vital matters of interest to the Crown) without which our Empire ceases?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only and always hard-working traders and their trade..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ketterer's a bloody fool,\" Struan said. \"Norbert's right in that. Perhaps now Sir William will see the light and ask for a replacement at once. We've got to deal with the Jappos here ourselves and Ketterer won't move without crossing the t's and dotting the i's.\"\n\n\"We certainly needs a bugger with balls,\" Lunkchurch said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ketterer's a damp fart.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of the other men said, \"Hey, Charlie, he smashed the pirates when he'd the order, he'll do the same here. Wot's an extra few months, eh? Tai-pan,\" he asked anxiously, \"can we know how Miss Angel is?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'she's' 3 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She's fine, she's fine now.\"\n\n\"Thank God for that!\"\n\nNews that she had taken to her bed had flashed around the Settlement yesterday and when it was learned she had refused to see Babcott, Hoag or even the tai-pan concern escalated: \"Christ, it's the Frog cooking, she's poisoned.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "... \"No, she's caught their plague.\" ... \"Frogs don't have plagues, for God's sake, just lice.\" ... \"We all got lice... I heard it was cholera...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Universal relief permeated Yokohama at noon today when Minister Seratard had put out an official bulletin that she was in perfect health, merely suffering from a temporary indisposition—quickly whispered it was just her period." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My fiancée's fine,\" Malcolm said again. Proudly.\n\n\"That's a relief,\" Lunkchurch said. \"You hear Witch's leaving on tonight's tide?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm glanced out to sea, much of his disquiet returning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Last night when he had first heard of the ship's arrival he had been filled with a nauseating, sudden panic that Tyler Brock or Morgan Brock were aboard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was only when Jamie reassured him they were not that he could think clearly.\n\nWhy the hell does Tyler Brock terrify me, even now? he asked himself again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can understand it when I was small but now Tyler's not much taller than me, though ugly as ever, rough-visaged and foulmouthed, with his big belly and his one eye always bloodshot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What does that matter? There are many men in Hong Kong like him, many uglier. Many such enemies. But they don't frighten me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He's always been our enemy and we've contained him every time—Dirk did, my father did, Mother did, has, and I must, but... Christ Almighty, I hate that bugger for all the grief he's caused Mother and the family." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He took a deep breath and concentrated on Ocean Witch." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She's not due out for two days.\"\n\n\"That's the rumor.\"\n\n\"But why? Why so fast a turnaround?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Don't know, but that's the poop.\"\n\n\"We'll soon find out. 'Day!\" Malcolm cast off his foreboding and continued across the road." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ahead was the Struan Building where he was heading and beyond that the spire of Holy Trinity. He had been to the early service this morning and had prayed for Angelique and for strength and afterwards had felt better. But God curse all Brocks forever, let me kill Norbert quickly an—" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tai-pan!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Startled from his reverie he looked up, around." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Phillip Tyrer was hurrying from the British Legation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sorry, but we all just wanted to know how Miss Angelique was.\"\n\n\"Fine, she's fine,\" Malcolm said. Now, behind Tyrer, he saw Sir William peering at him out of one of the ground floor windows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He waved a stick and gave an awkward thumbs-up and saw the Minister wave back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just before Sir William retreated into the room he caught a glimpse of another man beside him. \"Oh, that your tame samurai, Nakama?\"\n\n\"Who? Oh yes, yes, it was. Is she really all right?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Everything with her was very good, thank you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank God for that, we were all worried to death!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Phillip Tyrer beamed down at him, a picture of health, ruddy, strong, taller than Struan but only because now he walked, and stood, hunched over. \"You're looking much better yourself.\"\n\n\"Wish that were true, Phillip.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Abruptly Malcolm's envy prompted him to say sharply, \"I hear Nakama's been giving you all sorts of information, you and Sir William?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tyrer's smile faded. \"Yes, I suppose he has.\"\n\n\"The arrangement was that you were to keep Jamie and me informed. Everything. Eh?\"\n\n\"Well, yes, yes, it was. But Sir William... he's trying to find out the politics of Japan an—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Politics of a country and business are like a pair of gloves, Phillip. Perhaps you'd drop by tomorrow, before tiffin? I'd appreciate knowing what's new.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He forced a smile. \"Please give my best to Sir William, see you tomorrow.\"\n\nHe limped down the street, angry at himself for being so caustic, sick to death of walking like this, then climbed the stairs of the Struan Building heading for his suite." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His back and stomach ached alarmingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No more than usual, he thought irritably, and that's no cause to snap at Phillip." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was just trying to be pleasant. Never mind, a little of Ah Tok's elixir and I'll be fine again. I'll ask Phillip to dinner an—" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tai-pan!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, hello, Jamie.\" Malcolm stopped halfway up the staircase. \"Did you hear Ocean Witch is leaving early? Perhaps on this evening's tide?\"\n\n\"Ah! I was just going to tell you. Heard the rumor, tried to get it confirmed by Norbert but he's busy at the moment—how's Angelique?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Fine,\" Malcolm said absently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We'd better be ready with our mails in case the Witch sails early.\"\n\n\"I'll be all set. I'll collect yours as soon as I hear if it's true.\" Jamie frowned, seeing how distracted Malcolm was." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Send someone to Angelique, she has mail too.\" Her letter to his mother, written and rewritten until both were satisfied. It's a good letter, he thought." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She was really all right, Tai-pan?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Gorgeous.\" Malcolm smiled, aches momentarily forgotten, the Witch forgotten. She had looked spectacular in bed, fresh though wan, happy and attentive and so pleased to see him. \"She said by tomorrow evening she'll be fine, Jamie. Why don't we arrange a grand dinner, here, eh? Us, and say Dmitri, Babcott, Marlowe if he's free, and Pallidar, they're both good sorts though they fawn on her like puppies.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What about Phillip and Sir William?\"\n\n\"Phillip, yes, but not Sir William... no, best leave them both out. How about Count Zergeyev? He's always good for a laugh or two.\"\n\n\"If you invite him you should really include all the Ministers—can't very well leave Sir William out then.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You're right. Make it simple, them another night.\"\n\n\"I'll make the arrangements,\" Jamie said, glad that they were on friendly terms again. Together they walked into his suite." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All damage from the fire had been repaired though there was still the slight smell of smoke. \"What about Ketterer?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He has to guard our interests or he's out.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm sat at his desk, began to stack the mail he wanted to send. \"Mother will have already seen the Governor and sorted him out.\"\n\n\"Yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm looked up sharply, hearing a strangeness under the voice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a moment he said, \"Curious how confident we are she'll do that, and not at all confident I can persuade her to approve my marriage.\"\n\n\"Don't quite know how to answer that, Tai-pan,\" McFay said sadly, \"if it's a question.\"\n\nMalcolm nodded slowly, seeing the strong, well-used face and strong, tough body and wondering if he would be as strong when he was thirty-nine—in nineteen years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You got another letter from her?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. 'Fraid no good news at all from Ocean Witch.\"\n\n\"Oh? Sit down, Jamie. What did she say?\"\n\n\"Sorry, but, well, she reiterated her order I assist Dr. Hoag to see you back to Hong Kong at once, confirming I'm sacked at the end of the month.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: orders, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You can forget that. You wrote her, as I told you, that you're under the tai-pan's orders, my orders, not hers?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Good, so did I and that's the end of it. Your letter and mine must have crossed hers.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm lit a cheroot and noticed his fingers were shaking. \"You've never smoked?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, tried once and didn't like it.\"\n\n\"Forget the sacking nonsense. What other bad news?\"\n\n\"I've got all the correspondence and cuttings for you when you're ready. Business is rotten all over. We've lost Racing Cloud—she's too long overdue in San Francisco.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Bloody hell!\" Racing Cloud was one of their clipper fleet, twenty-two ships." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clippers, three-masted queens of the sea, were much faster on long ocean runs than cumbersome steamers that had to carry and conserve coal. Her cargo was tea, silk and spices, all highly prized goods and now, because of the American war, astronomically valuable—particularly if diverted to the South. \"Insurance won't cover us, will it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"'Fraid not. Never does, even Lloyd's. They may even claim an Act of War. It is a war zone.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ayeeyah! That'll cost a pretty penny. Damned shame about the crew. Her Captain was Caradoc, wasn't he?\"\n\n\"Yes. They must have run into a hurricane—several were reported off Hawaii though they're late this year. Her Second Mate was my cousin, Duncan McGregor.\"\n\n\"Oh, sorry about that.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even more depressed, Struan glanced at his bureau where the elixir waited." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder if the same storms swallowed Savannah Lady, along with young Pedrito Vargas and our order for five thousand rifles, he thought absently. That reminded him. \"Those cannon at Mirs Bay—they weren't sold through us, were they?\"\n\n\"Not to my knowledge,\" Jamie said, the normal response to such a question." }, { "from": "system", "value": "⚠️ Required: Use 'another' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both were aware of major arms sales to Chinese traders, who always represented the Manchu government. What happened on delivery at Canton or Shanghai was another matter.\n\nMalcolm was thinking, I'll bet fifty Mex to a dollar they were from us, one way or another." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was party to one of Struan's inner secrets: a tenuous friend-enemy relationship existed between the Noble House and the seaborne White Lotus Wu Sung Choi's, begun by his grandfather and continued by his father." }, { "from": "system", "value": "[System: Use 'about' 2 times in response]" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about me? What do I do about them, he asked himself, suddenly sick to death of Yokohama and violently anxious to assume all the mantle and secrets of his grandfather—and to confront his mother. \"In a week or so,\" he muttered.\n\n\"Tai-pan?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing. What else, Jamie?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie went through a litany about the falling price of goods they sold and escalating price of goods they had to buy, of demands for increased danger wages for their seamen, many of whom were of English-American heritage and were being forcibly pressed aboard roving, marauding warships of both North and South. \"I could go on forever, Tai-pan. Russia and France are spoiling for a fight, so Europe's a tinderbox. All over India, Moslems and Hindus are killing, murdering each other, burning crops. Whole world's crazy.\" He hesitated. \"More urgent, the Victoria Bank wrote again about the paper they carry on us here. The notes are due...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I know all about that and they can rot. The Bank's Brock-controlled, they've dropped us in the sewer financing Brock's takeover of Hawaiian sugar and they're out to bankrupt us. They can all rot, by God.\" Malcolm's voice had thickened. Pain was shafting from his belly." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Club meeting had quickly gravitated into the usual shouting, cursing, angry mass of men, increasingly heated, with plenty of drinking, talking and no one listening, with a single theme locking them all together: \"God curse all governments, all bleeding tax collectors, all fat-arsed Admirals and Generals wot don't know their poxy place, wot don't do wot they're supposed to do which is listen to the business community, do wot we bloody say and Bob's your bloody uncle!\"\n\n\"Good on yer, Lunkchurch. I proposes...\"\n\nWhatever the man proposed was drowned in the uproar as several shouted, \"Let's impeach Wee Willie...\"\n\nExasperated, Norbert Greyforth pushed his way through the crowd from the corner of the bar where he had begun the meeting and headed for Malcolm Struan who sat beside the door, Jamie nearby. Dmitri called out, \"No conclusion, Norbert?\"\n\n\"What do you expect, Dmitri? It's up to tai-pans as ever was. Come along. Jamie, would you and...\" Norbert was going to needle Malcolm by calling him young Struan but he remembered Sir William's very blunt and sour threat not to provoke him in public or else. Even more he could feel Tyler Brock's letter burning in his pocket. He looked down at Malcolm and said politely, \"Would you two please join me—a private chat, eh? Dmitri, you too?\"\n\nMalcolm had expected Norbert just to pass by with a curt nod. \"Certainly. Where? Outside?\"\n\n\"In my office, if it pleases you.\"\n\nThe three men followed him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All on guard. \"Is Ocean Witch leaving on the tide?\" Malcolm asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes.\"\n\nDmitri said, \"Why the fast turnaround, Norbert?\"\n\n\"Tyler's orders.\" Norbert noticed the sudden shadow cross Struan's face and he smiled to himself.\n\nHis temporary office was on the ground floor while repairs were being done to the fire-ravaged upstairs. The central staircase was blackened, the roof off in places but covered temporarily with sail canvas. \"Proper bugger, the fire, but there you are, happens to everyone sometime. Fortunately, as I said, the safes weren't touched, nor the books and warehouse.\" He motioned to leather easy chairs. \"Make yourself comfortable.\"\n\nOn the sideboard were glasses and drinks, whisky, brandy, gin, vintage wine, with champagne already on ice. His Chinese Number One Boy stood waiting to serve them. Their caution increased. \"What's your pleasure?\"\n\n\"Champagne,\" Malcolm said, the others echoing him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was feeling fine now, the elixir as always encouraging him to seem inviolate as well as deadening the pain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When all glasses were filled, Norbert jerked his thumb at the servant who bowed and left them. \"Health!\" They returned the toast mildly. He sat on the edge of the desk, tall, lean and confident.\n\n\"We're safe from ears here,\" he said. \"First, we, us'n, we represent the three biggest companies, we should jointly write a complaint to Wee Willie, not that it'll do much good, and to the Admiral—we all agree he's an impediment. No reason, Dmitri, why you shouldn't have at him too: Cooper-Tillman's got a lot to lose here as well as us. At the same time we should mount a campaign, Struan's and us, in Parliament to settle Japan once and for all—either we smash the Jappos and put them in their place or we quit.\"\n\n\"We're not quitting Japan,\" Malcolm said, and McFay relaxed a little.\n\n\"Nor are we,\" Norbert said thinly, \"that's only our ploy for those miserable bastards in Parliament.\" He picked up a file from the immaculate desk and selected a single sheet of paper. \"This's a secret dispatch from London via Ocean Witch from one of our watchdogs there, dated September 16th.\"\n\n\"That's damn fast,\" Jamie said for all of them.\n\n\"We keep abreast, Jamie. Tyler says to share part of it with you three. I'll read it: Yesterday the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer privately agreed in the next Budget to up the tax on tea by 4 pence the pound, a penny a pint on beer, shilling on all brandy and imported wines, doubling the tax on tobacco\"—they all gasped—\"doubling the import tax on cotton—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Goddam!\" Dmitri exploded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That's crazy! That and tobacco are the only cash crops we've got in the South! They do that, what happens to our war and what happens to your goddam Lancashire mills?\"\n\n\"We don't have cotton mills, though Struan's have. There's more: To muzzle certain powerful factions on both sides of the House they're going to order all our opium plantations in Bengal torched and tea pl—\"\n\n\"Jesus Christ!\" Struan was aghast, Jamie purple and Dmitri in shock. \"Then how do we trade in China, for God's sake? Opium to silver to...\"\n\n\"Parliament don't give a tinker's fart for our Heavenly Triangle,\" Norbert said grimly, \"or Asia, or China, or trade, only staying in office. They want to replant with tea.\" He replaced the paper in the folder and sat back on the desk, knowing full well the others would dearly love to know the veracity of the document, and what else was in it. \"The Old Man said to tell you we've an informant close to the p.m.'s office, his whispers have always been true in the past, and that's the God's truth. He says, rightly, we've got to get this bloody pair out, fast. Dmitri, you've got to pressure them from your side. Tyler says whatever's necessary we'll do and asks you to do the same. Agreed?\"\n\nDmitri said, \"Agreed. Jesu, I can't believe it.\"\n\n\"I do.\" Struan raised his glass, wondering where Tyler Brock's trap was. \"May they burn in Hell.\"\n\nSolemnly they drank with him." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'seconds' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Norbert refilled their glasses. His face had hardened to focus on Struan. \"Next: we're all party to our duel. I don't need seconds and we agreed Wednesday dawn. Sorry, I'm on Ocean Witch tonight, sorry, Tyler's orders—so Wednesday's off. I sugg—\"\n\n\"Why put it off, there's light enough now.\" The words were out before Malcolm could stop them and he was pleased that he had reacted so quickly and firmly though suddenly his brain seemed stretched. The silence intensified. Jamie had blanched.\n\n\"Not now.\" Eyes glinting and hiding his amusement, Norbert turned to Jamie and Dmitri, the formal seconds. \"I suggest we postpone, gentleman's agreement, till I get back, about three weeks, eh? Then it'll be next day, whenever.\"\n\nJamie said, \"That's a better idea, Tai-pan. Yes?\"\n\nAfter a moment the tightness in Struan's head seeped away. \"Fine,\" he said, neither pleased nor disappointed but content that he had thrown down the gauntlet again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He did not notice Jamie and Dmitri cover their relief." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They finished their drinks and left.\n\nWhen he was quite alone, Norbert took out Tyler Brock's letter and reread it, his palms sweaty. The first part dealt with their spy's information. The letter ended: \"Get thy arse aboard Ocean Witch and leave on first tide–just thee, no other passengers, mind. Bring thy inner books, the Jappo gold-mining contract, and all bullion in thy control. We's to meet in Shanghai, secret—that's Witch's first port of call though manifest says direct to Hong Kong—Morgan, me and thee, fast as possible and secret, no one to be wiser. When thee returns to Yokohama, mayhaps thy bed'll be in godrotting Malcolm Struan's room, ay, with his doxie's tongue fawning all over thee if that's thy pleasure—soon she be for sale too. We's just heard her dad's fled Bangkok, like Hong Kong, more fraud and swindles, Frog officials this time. They be catching him, trying him and then the guillotine—Frogs bain't like our lily piss-arsed Peelers. Missus sends best wishes.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well after dark, Yoshi and his guard, muffled and disguised in nondescript clothes as ordinary soldiers, wearily picked their way through the deserted streets of the sleeping, ancient capital where Emperors and the Imperial court had lived for centuries.\n\nThe city had been constructed in Chinese fashion with straight streets, the cross streets at right angles, with the sprawling Forbidden Palace and grounds central to it. Only the roofs could be seen behind its tall walls—six Gates in the walls. Yoshi avoided it carefully, wanting to elude Ogama's patrols and samurai guarding the Gates, and when he arrived, unheralded, at the Shōgunate barrack complex, he went to his own quarters and soon sank gratefully into a steaming bath that could easily hold eight.\n\n\"How many fighters do I have in Kyōto, Akeda?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "he asked, the aches of his days of forced march beginning to seep away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grim-faced, the old general lowered himself into the water beside him, the bath a metre deep." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bathhouse was within the inner redoubt, all maids had been dismissed and sentries posted outside. \"Eight hundred and two, of which eighty are sick or recovering from wounds, all sworn to you, all trustworthy, all mounted. Plus the eighteen you brought with you,\" he said in his gravelly voice. The moment Yoshi had arrived, Akeda had doubled all guards. He was a tough, hatomoto retainer whose family had served the Toranaga clan for generations and now he commanded their Kyōto garrison. \"Not enough to protect you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm safe here.\" By Legacy law, this was the only defensible complex in Kyōto, capable of billeting five thousand men if need be, all other daimyos restricted to a maximum of five hundred men—with no more than ten daimyos in Kyōto at any one time, their comings and goings strictly controlled." }, { "from": "system", "value": "can you add this somewhere in your response:\n\"It was totally wrong to put yourself at such risk travelling with so few guards, even more dangerous to come to Kyōto. If I had been warned I could have met you and escorted you in. If your father were alive he would have forbidden such dan—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Time and weak Councils of Elders had whittled Shōgunate numbers to under a thousand. \"Do you doubt that?\"\n\n\"Inside our walls, no. So sorry, I meant outside.\"\n\n\"Allies? How many daimyos can I count on?\"\n\nAkeda shrugged irritably. \"It was totally wrong to put yourself at such risk travelling with so few guards, even more dangerous to come to Kyōto. If I had been warned I could have met you and escorted you in. If your father were alive he would have forbidden such dan—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But my father's not alive.\" Yoshi's lips set into a hard line. \"Allies?\"\n\n\"If you raised your own standard in Kyōto, Sire, your very own, most daimyos and most samurai would rush to your side, here and throughout the land, more than enough to enforce whatever you wanted to enforce.\"\n\n\"That could be construed as treason.\"\n\n\"Ah, so sorry, but truth is usually treasonous at your level, Lord—and very difficult to obtain.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The weathered old face broke into a smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"The truth: If you raise the Shōgunate banner, the daimyos here will not combine against Ogama of Choshu, not while he holds the Gates.\"\n\n\"How many samurai does Ogama have here?\"\n\n\"They say over two thousand, handpicked men, all well placed in fortified guard houses around the palace, close to nominal guards on our Gates.\" Akeda smiled mirthlessly, seeing Yoshi's eyes narrow. \"Oh, everyone knows it's against the law, but no one reminded him and no one has stood up to him. He's been sneaking them in in tens and twenties since he threw out that old fox Sanjiro, Katsumata and his Satsumas. You know they escaped by boat to Kagoshima?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He slid deeper into the water." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Rumor has it Ogama has another two to three thousand Choshu samurai within ten ri.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Eh?\"\n\n\"His grip tightens on Kyōto, every day a little more, his patrols control the streets, except for an occasional shishi band who pick a fight with anyone they fancy does not honor sonno-joi, particularly us and anyone allied to the Shōgunate. They are fools because we are equally opposed to gai-jin, their foul Treaties and want them out.\"\n\n\"Are shishi here in strength?\"\n\n\"Yes. Rumor is they are getting ready for some mischief. A week ago some of them picked on an Ogama patrol, openly calling Ogama a traitor. He was furious and has been trying to hunt them down ever since. There is—\"\n\nA knock stopped him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain of the Guard opened the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Excuse me, Lord Yoshi, an emissary from Lord Ogama is at the gate, requesting an audience with you.\" Both men gasped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi said angrily, \"How could he know I have arrived? For the last fifty ri we have been disguised. I waited outside Kyōto till dark, we bypassed the barricades and met no patrols. There must be a spy here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"There are no spies inside here,\" Akeda grated. \"On my head, Sire. Outside they are legion, everywhere, for Ogama, shishi, and others—and you are not easily disguised.\"\n\n\"Captain,\" Yoshi said, \"say that I'm asleep and may not be disturbed. Ask him to come back in the morning when he will be received with due honor.\"\n\nThe Captain bowed and began to leave. Akeda said, \"Order the whole garrison on full alert!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "When they were alone, Yoshi said, \"You think Ogama would dare attack me here? That would be a declaration of war.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What he dares doesn't concern me, Sire. Only your safety. Now you are my responsibility.\"\n\nThe water's heat was into Yoshi's joints now and he lay back, letting the warmth take him for a moment, glad that Akeda was in command, reassured by his presence, although not swayed by his opinions. He had not anticipated being discovered so soon. Never mind, he thought, my plan is still good. \"Who is Ogama's running dog, his Court go-between?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Prince Fujitaka, a first cousin of the Emperor—his wife's brother is the Imperial Chamberlain.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The air hissed from Yoshi's mouth and the General nodded sourly. \"Difficult to break that link, except with a sword.\"\n\n\"Unthinkable,\" Yoshi said shortly, and thought, Unless it were possible. Either way very stupid to say such a thing out loud, even in private. \"What news of Shōgun Nobusada and Princess Yazu?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They're expected in a week an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi looked over sharply: \"They are not expected for two or three weeks.\"\n\nThe old man's voice rasped, \"Princess Yazu ordered them to cut back to the Tokaidō and take the short route, clearly anxious to see her brother, to guide her husband to kowtow to him against all tradition—the sooner to bury the Shōgunate and give it to Ogama.\"\n\n\"Even here, old friend, you should guard your tongue.\"\n\n\"I am too old to worry about that now—now that your neck is in Ogama's vise.\"\n\nYoshi sent for maids who brought towels and dried both men and helped them into fresh yukatas." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He picked up his swords." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Wake me at dawn, Akeda. I've much to do.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just before dawn in the southern outskirts where the river curled south towards Osaka and the sea, twenty-odd ri away, where the lanes and streets and alleys were haphazard, so different from the straight-lined rigidity of the city, where the smell of feces and mud and rotting vegetation was heavy, Katsumata, the Satsuma shishi leader and confidant of Lord Sanjiro, awoke suddenly, slid from under the coverlet and stood in the darkened room, listening intently, sword ready." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No sound of danger. Below were the muted noises of maids and servants lighting the day's fires, chopping vegetables, preparing the foods of the day. His room was on the second floor, under the rafters, in this, the Inn of Whispering Pines. A dog barked in the distance.\n\nSomething is wrong, he thought.\n\nHe opened the shoji silently. Along the passageway were other rooms, three occupied by other shishi, two per room. The last was for the women of the Inn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To one side was a small window overlooking the forecourt." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Below nothing moved. Again his gaze ranged the area and the gate and the street beyond. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Then a glint, more felt than seen. At once he slid doors aside and hissed the code word. Instantly the six men leapt to their feet, sleep vanished, and rushed after him, swords in hand, down the rickety stairs, through the kitchen area and out the back door. At once over the fence and into the next garden in a carefully rehearsed retreat, into the next, over that fence and into the alleyway, down it, quickly diverting into a passage between the low hovels. At the end of this cul-de-sac he turned left and eased a door open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The alert guard's spear menaced his throat. \"Katsumata-san! What's wrong?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Someone has betrayed us,\" Katsumata panted, and motioned to a Choshu youth, spare like himself, steel hard but half his age, nineteen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Circle, see, then come back. Do not be observed or get caught!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The youth vanished. The others followed Katsumata across the messy entranceway into the hovel itself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Within were many rooms, this building discreetly connected to others on either side, and more shishi." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Twenty, all armed, most captains of shishi cells, now awake and ready to fight or retreat—one of them, Sumomo, Shorin's sister, Hiraga's fiancée. Silently they gathered, waiting for orders.\n\nWhen they were escaping the Inn not one of the servants or maids had acknowledged them or their headlong departure, continuing their labors as though nothing had happened. All froze a few seconds later when an Ogama patrol burst through the front door and started to go through the sleeping rooms, waking guests and girls and the mama-san while others leapt up the stairs to search the rooms aloft. Wails of surprise and fright and protest and squeals from the women now occupying the four rooms above, that, moments ago, had housed the shishi—again all part of Katsumata's careful planning.\n\nIn the ensuing uproar of cries and outrage from the mama-san, and as much as the enraged Ogama officer cursed and demanded to know where the ronin outlaws had gone, bashing a few of the male servants around the face, it was to no avail. Everyone trembled and loudly protested innocence: \"Ronin? In my respectable, law-abiding House? Never!\" the mama-san cried.\n\nBut when the patrol had departed and they were all safe, the mama-san swore, her acolytes swore, and servants swore, everyone cursing the spy who had betrayed them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Katsumata-san, who was it?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Takeda asked, a heavyset, almost neck-less Choshu youth of twenty—a kinsman of Hiraga—his heart still racing from their narrow escape." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Katsumata shrugged. \"Karma if we find him, karma if we do not. It only proves what I hammer into you: be prepared for betrayal, instant flight, instant fight, trust no man or woman except a blooded shishi and sonno-joi.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone in the crowded little room nodded.\n\n\"What about Lord Yoshi? When do we go for him?\"\n\n\"When he's outside the walls.\" News of Yoshi's sudden arrival had come in the night, too late to intercept him.\n\n\"But, Sensei, we've adherents inside,\" Takeda said. \"Surely that would be the place to surprise him, when he feels safe and his guard is down.\"\n\n\"Yoshi's guard is never down. Never forget it. As to our people with him and inside his walls, they are ordered to remain calm and hidden, their presence and information is too valuable to risk. In the unlikely event that Shōgun Nobusada escapes our ambush, then they will be even more necessary.\"\n\nMany grim smiles and hands tightening on weapons." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The ambush was planned for dusk, in five days at Otsu, the last way station before Kyōto." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only a few Inns on both the North Road and the Tokaidō coast road were considered fitting resting places for such august persons with their multitudinous guards, maids and servants, so their night stops were easy to know. And to set spies in place.\n\nTen shishi had been assigned the suicide mission and were already at Otsu, preparing. Every one of the hundred and seven shishi now gathered in various safe houses throughout Kyōto had begged to be on the attack team. At Katsumata's suggestion they had drawn lots. Three Choshu, three Satsumas and four Tosas gained the honor and were already around their target, the Inn of Many Flowers.\n\n\"Eeee,\" the girl, Sumomo, whispered excitedly, \"only five days, then sonno-joi will be a fact. The Bakufu will never recover from that blow.\"\n\n\"Never!\" Katsumata smiled at her, liking her, the best of all his women students—as Hiraga was best amongst the men, except for his Ori—admiring her bravery and strength and skills." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She too had volunteered but he had forbidden it, considering her far too valuable a weapon to cast away on such a high-risk endeavor. He was glad that he had told her to wait here, overruling Hiraga's order to her to return to his father's home. She had brought the latest intelligence from Yedo: confirming rumors of the negotiated détente between Bakufu and gai-jin, the failed attack on Chief Minister Anjo but the successful killing of Utani and firing his mansion. And importantly, confirming the growing rift between Anjo and Toranaga Yoshi. \"Where this information came from,\" she had whispered to him, \"I do not know but the mama-san said it was from the source you would know about.\"\n\nAlso she reported the facts of the manner of Shorin's death. But knew nothing further of Ori or Hiraga, other than that Ori's wound was healing and both were hiding out in the Yokohama Settlement, with Akimoto—Hiraga, somehow, miraculously a confidant of a gai-jin official.\n\n\"You are right, Sumomo, the Bakufu will never recover,\" Katsumata said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"And our next hammer blow will end the Toranaga Shōgunate forever.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Immediately following the successful elimination of Shōgun Nobusada—at all costs leaving Princess Yazu unharmed—shishi would launch a mass attack on Ogama's headquarters to assassinate him, simultaneously Katsumata and others would seize the Gates, raising the banner of sonno-joi, declaring power had returned to the Emperor, at which time all true daimyos and samurai would flock to make obeisance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sonno-joi,\" she murmured, exultant like all of them.\n\nExcept Takeda, one of the Choshu shishi. Uneasily he shifted in his place. \"I'm not sure about killing Ogama. He is a good daimyo, a good leader—he stopped Sanjiro seizing power, stopped the Tosa seizing power, he is the only daimyo enforcing the Emperor's orders to expel gai-jin. Isn't he closing the Shimonoseki Straits? Only our cannon oppose the gai-jin ships—only Choshu forces are in the front line, eh?\"\n\n\"That's true, Takeda,\" a Satsuma shishi of renown said. \"But what did Sensei Katsumata remind us? That Ogama has changed now he has sole control. If he honored the Emperor, now that he controls the Gates, simple for him to declare sonno-joi and return all power to the Emperor. That is what we will do when we have the Gates.\"\n\n\"Yes, but...\"\n\n\"Simple for him, Takeda. But what has he done? Only used his power to twist the Court to his whims. He wants to be Shōgun. Nothing less.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "There were murmurs of agreement and then Sumomo said, \"Please excuse me, Takeda, but Ogama is a major threat. You all know I am Satsuma, so is Sensei Katsumata, we agree Sanjiro also has done some good, but nothing for sonno-joi. So he must relinquish power, gladly or unhappily, and will go... will go. The same for Ogama. Yes, he has done some good, but now he does bad. The truth is no daimyo who has the Gates and is so close to being Shōgun will ever go willingly.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Takeda said, \"Perhaps if we petitioned Ogama?\"\n\nShe said, \"Please excuse me but a petition will be of no value. When we possess the Gates, to prevent civil war and the possibility of any daimyo being tempted ever again, when we possess the Gates we must go further, we must request the Emperor to abolish the Shōgunate, Bakufu and all daimyos.\"\n\nAmid sounds of surprise at such a radical proposal, Takeda burst out, \"That's mad. Without a Shōgunate and daimyos, who will rule? There'll be chaos! Who pays our stipends? Daimyos! The daimyos own all rice koku an—\"\n\nKatsumata said, \"Let her finish, Takeda, then you can have your say.\"\n\n\"So sorry, Takeda, but this is Hiraga-san's idea, not mine. Hiraga said that, in future, daimyos will be figureheads only, the good ones, that power will be exercised through councils of samurai, of all ranks, equally, who will decide everything, from stipends, to which daimyo is worthy and who will succeed him.\"\n\n\"It will never work. It's a bad idea,\" Takeda said.\n\nMany disagreed with him, the majority for her, but Takeda was unconvinced. Then she said, \"Sensei, is it a bad idea?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is a good idea, if all daimyos agreed,\" Katsumata said, well pleased that his teachings were bearing such fruit, that correctly they were arriving at the future by consensus. Like the others he was squatting on his heels, saying little, his mind on his close escape, inwardly seething at the new attempt on his life and narrow escape.\n\nToo near this time, he thought, bile again in his mouth. The net is closing. Who is the traitor? The traitor has to be in this room. No other shishi units knew I was spending the night at the Whispering Pines. The traitor has to be here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who is he—or even she? Who? \"Continue, Sumomo.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I just wanted to add... Takeda-san, you are Choshu, so is Hiraga-san, others from Tosa, the Sensei and others and me Satsumas, others from other fiefs, but first we are shishi with duties above family, above clan. In the New Order this will be the law—the First law for all Nippon.\"\n\n\"Well, if that's going to be the law...\" One of them scratched his head. \"Sensei, when the Son of Heaven has power again what will we really do? Us? All of us?\"\n\nKatsumata glanced at Takeda. \"What do you think?\"\n\nTakeda said simply, \"I will not be alive, it matters not at all. Sonno-joi is sufficient and that I tried.\"\n\n\"Some of us must survive,\" Katsumata said, \"to be part of the new leadership. More important for now: Toranaga Yoshi. How to eliminate him?\"\n\n\"Whenever he comes out of his sanctuary we must be ready,\" someone said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course,\" Takeda said irritably, \"but he will be surrounded by guards and I doubt if we can get near him. The Sensei said not to activate our men inside. It has to be outside but that will be very difficult.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Half a dozen of us with bows from rooftops?\"\n\n\"A pity we have no cannon,\" another said.\n\nThey sat there in the growing light, each within his own mind: Yoshi a prize. But the next five days were foremost, then the attack on Ogama—the only way to take the Gates.\n\nSumomo said, \"It could be easier for a woman to infiltrate the Toranaga bastion, neh? Once inside...\" She smiled." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: their, frequency: 6" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now clouds covered the sky. The afternoon was gloomy. Even so, the wide streets outside the walls of the Shōgunate barracks were crowded with townspeople, buying and selling in the market opposite the main entrance, along with orange-clad Buddhist priests, their inevitable begging bowls outstretched, samurai strutting along, singly or in groups. Ogama patrols were prominent, each with the insignia of their fief embroidered on their clothes. Katsumata, Sumomo and half a dozen shishi strolled amongst the crowds, disguised and wearing large conical hats. Housewives, maids, servants and street sweepers and night soil collectors, porters and hawkers, moneylenders, letter writers and fortune-tellers, palanquins and ponies for samurai and highborn and never a wheeled vehicle.\n\nAll who passed the Shōgunate gates, open now but heavily guarded, bowed politely according to rank and hurried on. News that the Guardian of the Heir had arrived unbelievably without pomp had flashed through the city—and this, coupled with the never-in-historical-memory imminent arrival of the awesome Shōgun himself, arbiter of the Land, his personage shrouded with almost as much mystery as the Son of Heaven, and who, rumor had it, was even married to one of the Deity's sisters, was almost too much to bear.\n\nAt once samurai worriedly began checking the readiness of their weapons and armor, daimyos and their most trusted counselors trembled at the news, assessing their own positions and what to do and how to avoid taking any decisive action when the inevitable happened: Lord Yoshi clashed with Lord Ogama.\n\nActivity on the street outside the Shōgunate barracks ceased as a heavily armed cortege began to come out of the gates, Yoshi's banners to the fore, soldiers surrounding a closed palanquin, with more soldiers bringing up the rear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once everyone within seeing distance put their heads to the earth, all samurai stood still, then bowed deeply until the cortege had passed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only when Yoshi and his men had vanished did a semblance of normality return. Except that Katsumata and the others were cautiously following.\n\nHalf a mile away a similar armored cortege began snaking out of the main Choshu barracks, Ogama's banners to the fore, to even greater obeisances. Inside the palanquin was Ogama. For days he had been forewarned of his enemy's arrival, just as he had been monitoring the progress of Shōgun Nobusada. His advisors had recommended waylaying Yoshi and destroying him outside Kyōto but he had refused. \"Better he becomes my pawn. Once he's here, where can he hide, where can he run?\"\n\nDetails for the urgent meeting he had requested had been settled between their advisors. It was to take place in the courtyard of an empty, neutral barracks, equidistant between their headquarters. Each side to have a hundred guards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only twenty would be mounted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama and Yoshi would ride in protected, armored palanquins. One counselor each. They would arrive simultaneously.\n\nWithin moments spies were hurrying the news to the palace, to shishi groups, and to daimyos that the two most dangerous men in Nippon were, astonishingly, on the streets in armed columns at the same instant. Quickly a spy found Katsumata and whispered the where of the meeting, and by the time Ogama and Yoshi's samurai marched through the neutral gates, Katsumata and thirty men were stationed nearby—in case an opening for a suicide attack presented itself.\n\nThe courtyard was a hundred metres square with light wooden walls, easy to breach, the one-story barracks and extensive stables also of wood, dark with age. Opposing guards took up their positions, while others brought four folding chairs and placed them carefully in the center of the space.\n\nThe two men got out of their palanquins together and strode to the chairs and sat down. Then General Akeda and Basuhiro, Ogama's chief counselor, sat beside them. Basuhiro was in his forties, a narrow-eyed, scholarly samurai, his family hereditary heads of the Choshu bureaucracy for generations. Formally they bowed. Then the eyes of the two leaders locked." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi was two years younger than Ogama—twenty-six—and tall where Ogama was short and thickset, his face clean-shaven in contrast to Ogama's heavy blue-black beard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His blood line was more regal though Ogama's was equally ancient, equally renowned, both of them balanced in ruthlessness, ambition, and secretiveness.\n\nLeisurely they went through the obligatory compliments and polite questions, fencing, waiting to begin—hands easily on their sword hilts. \"Your arrival is a pleasant surprise, Lord Yoshi.\"\n\n\"I had to come myself to make sure the wild rumors I heard were not true.\"\n\n\"Rumors?\"\n\n\"Amongst them that Choshu forces inhibit Shōgunate representatives, legal representatives from their positions around the Gates.\"\n\n\"A necessary measure to protect the Deity.\"\n\n\"Not necessary and against the law.\"\n\nOgama laughed. \"The Deity prefers my protection to the traitorous Council of Elders who signed gai-jin Treaties against his wishes and continue to treat with them against his wishes instead of expelling them as he has asked.\" He motioned to Basuhiro." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please show Lord Yoshi.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The scroll, signed by the Emperor, \"requested the Lord of Choshu to assume command of the Gates until the distressing matter of the gai-jin was settled.\"\n\n\"It is not within the Deity's sphere to dictate matters temporal. That is the law—I must ask you to retire.\"\n\n\"Law? You refer to Toranaga law, Shōgunate law, all of which the first of your line implanted by force which disavowed the ancient, Heaven-granted rights of the Emperor to rule.\"\n\nYoshi's lips set into a thin, hard line. \"Heaven granted the Emperor rights to intercede between us mortals and the gods in all matters spiritual. Matters temporal were always in the sphere of mortals, of Shoguns. The Emperor granted Shōgun Toranaga and his line perpetual rights to deal with all matters temporal.\"\n\n\"I repeat that the Emperor was forced to agree an—\"\n\n\"And I repeat this is the law of the land that has kept the land at peace for two and a half centuries.\"\n\n\"It is no longer valid.\" Ogama waved the paper. \"What a previous Emperor was forced to concede, this Emperor has freely cancelled.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi's voice became softer, more deadly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A temporary mistake. Clearly the Son of Heaven has been given misguided advice by self-seeking malcontents, as he will soon realize.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You accuse me?\" The grip of all four men tightened on their hilts.\n\n\"I merely point out, Lord Ogama, your piece of paper was obtained by false information, and is not according to the law. The Presence is and always has been surrounded by ambitious men—and women. That is why he granted perpetual rights to Shōgun Toranaga and the following Shōgunate to guide him in all matters an—\"\n\nA bellow of laughter cut him off and set everyone within the walls even more on edge. \"Guide? Guide did you say? The Deity's to be guided by Anjo Nori, Toyama, Adachi and now that slobbering halfwit Zukumura? By incompetent fools who overrule you at their leisure, make stupid agreements with vile gai-jin, against all daimyo, advice that lay the Land of the Gods and all of us open to destruction?\" His face twisted with anger. \"Or is he to await guidance from the child Nobusada to pull our nuts from the fire?\"\n\n\"You and I, we need not wait, Ogama-dono,\" Yoshi said smoothly, knowing that his major strength was in his calm. \"Let us discuss this in private—the two of us.\"\n\nOgama stared at him. A slight breeze picked up and rustled the banners. \"When?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thrown off balance a moment, Ogama hesitated. He glanced at Basuhiro. The small man smiled with the front of his face. \"I would have thought that important matters should be discussed openly, Sire, not that my poor advice would be of value. Private agreements can sometimes be misinterpreted, by either side—that was your honored father's rule.\"\n\nOgama's eyes went back to Yoshi. \"This Shōgun visit to the Emperor, to kowtow, to 'ask advice,' the first time in the whole Toranaga period, this negates the very kernel of your Toranaga structure, eh? Worse, it clouds any future settlement between the Son of Heaven and... future leaders, for of course mortals will rule, eh?\"\n\n\"In private, Ogama-dono.\"\n\nOgama hesitated, dark eyes recessed in the weathered face. In spite of himself, in spite of knowing that this man was potentially the only one in the Land who could perhaps gather enough opposition to prevent him reaching the prize he sought, he enjoyed the clash, enjoyed meeting face-to-face. He waved his hand, dismissing Basuhiro, who obeyed at once though clearly disapprovingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akeda bowed and also moved away, even more watchful for the expected treachery he had warned against." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must include the following in quotes somewhere in your response: The Council vote was four to one against me in favor of the Shōgun visit. Of course the visit is a major mistake, Anjo cannot and will not see that. The present Council will vote as he wishes, on any subject. Nobusada is a puppet until he is eighteen, in two years, when formally he can create many changes and problems if he so wishes. Does that answer all your questions?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So ka?\"\n\nYoshi bent forward slightly and kept his voice low, his lips hardly moving in case Basuhiro, who had placed himself out of earshot, could lip-read. \"The Council vote was four to one against me in favor of the Shōgun visit. Of course the visit is a major mistake, Anjo cannot and will not see that. The present Council will vote as he wishes, on any subject. Nobusada is a puppet until he is eighteen, in two years, when formally he can create many changes and problems if he so wishes. Does that answer all your questions?\"\n\nOgama frowned, astonished that his opponent would be so open. \"You said, 'in private,' Yoshi-dono, what do you want to say in private that of course I will tell my advisors afterwards and you will tell yours?\"\n\n\"Some secrets are better kept between leaders, than...\" Yoshi added deliberately, \"than with certain retainers.\"\n\n\"Eh? What does that mean?\"\n\n\"You have spies—retainers—within my gates, neh,? How else did you know I arrived when I did? Surely you don't think I don't have men here, and spies within your walls?\"\n\nOgama's face became grimmer. \"What secrets?\"\n\n\"Secrets we should keep. For example, Anjo is very sick and will die within a year—or at the very least will have to resign.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi had seen the flicker of immediate interest that Ogama could not totally contain. \"If you want proof I could tell you how your spies can confirm it.\"\n\n\"Good, thank you,\" Ogama said, docketing that for immediate action without waiting for guidance. \"I would like the means to prove such pleasant news. So?\"\n\nYoshi pitched his voice lower. \"Within this year—if we were allied—it will be easy to ensure you are appointed an Elder. Then jointly we would approve the other three.\"\n\n\"I doubt if we could ever agree, Yoshi-dono,\" Ogama said with a twisted smile, \"neither on a Council, or which of us would be tairō, the Leader.\"\n\n\"Ah, but I will vote for you.\"\n\n\"Why would you be so stupid?\" Ogama said blankly. \"You must know I would at once demolish your Shōgunate.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As it exists, yes. I agree we should. I would like to do it now. If I had power I would do it now and make reforms together with the advice of a council of all daimyos, including Outside Lords.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He saw Ogama's astonishment increase and knew he was gaining. \"But I can't, I must wait until Anjo resigns or dies.\"\n\n\"Why not sooner than later, eh? If he's the boil on your balls, lance it! You are both in Yedo Castle, eh?\"\n\n\"That would precipitate the civil war I do not want, no daimyo wants. I agree the Shōgunate and Bakufu must be reorganized radically—your views and mine are very similar. Without your support I could not achieve reform.\" Yoshi shrugged. \"It is difficult to believe but it is an offer.\"\n\nThe other man said, \"With Anjo out of the way you could do whatever you wanted. You could tempt Sanjiro and the fool of Tosa, perhaps both together, eh? If you three allied against me, perhaps I am a dead man and my fief ended. Then you divide them and you are the power.\" His lips curled into the smile that was not a smile. \"Or more likely they stay together and divide you.\"\n\n\"Much more likely. So why not choose power to us and not them. First, together we crush Tosa.\"\n\nAgain the short, hard laugh." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not easily, not with Sanjiro and his Satsuma legions ready to go to Tosa's aid at once—he could never allow us to smash Tosa, because then he is isolated and we would turn on him. He would never allow me to smash Tosa which I could do in time, let alone allow an alliance between us. Not possible to split them although they hate each other. At length we would beat them but neither of us can easily sustain a lengthy war—and certainly never while the gai-jin are on our shores and ready to exploit us.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Leave the gai-jin for the moment, except to say that I oppose the Treaties, want all gai-jin expelled, want—with all my strength—to fulfill the Emperor's request, want the Elders replaced and most of the Bakufu dismissed.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again Ogama stared at him, hardly able to believe his ears. \"Such private thoughts, lethal thoughts, so openly spoken will not remain secret for long. If true.\"\n\n\"They are true. They are spoken privately, between us. I gamble with you, yes. But there is purpose: Nippon. I propose a secret alliance: together we could control all power. You are a good leader, you possess the Shimonoseki Straits, your cannon cannot stop the gai-jin ships until we can buy or build an equal fleet and modernize our armies—gai-jin ships, cannon and firearms are all we need. And you are strong enough and clever enough to understand the problems confronting us.\"\n\n\"They are?\"\n\n\"Five main ones: a weak, stupid and out-of-date Shōgunate supported by an even more stupid Bakufu; second, the nation is divided; third, the gai-jin and the need for us to modernize before their ships, cannons and rifles enslave us like they enslaved China; fourth, how to obliterate all shishi whose influence grows in spite of the smallness of their numbers. And then fifth: the Princess Yazu.\"\n\n\"Four, I agree. But why is she a problem?\"\n\n\"Nobusada is a child, querulous and simple, yes, and I think he will remain one. On the other hand, she is strong, educated, and cunning, cunning beyond her years.\"\n\n\"But a woman,\" Ogama cut in irritably, \"with no army, no purse, and once she becomes a mother all her energies will be expended on her sons. You see fire in a bowl of water.\"\n\n\"But say her husband is impotent.\"\n\n\"What?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That is what his doctors whisper to me. Say also he is totally within her spell—believe me this girl has all the wits and devilment of a wolf kami! This visit is her idea, the beginning of her plan: to put him and through him the Shōgunate into the clutches of Court sycophants who have no temporal experience, who will misguide the Deity and wreck us all.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She could never do it,\" Ogama said sourly, \"however clever; no daimyo would accept such madness.\"\n\n\"Step one: the visit, step two: the Shōgun takes up permanent residence in the palace. From then on, supported by the Emperor's requests, her brother's requests, decisions come down through her cronies, one of whom is your Prince Fujitaka.\"\n\n\"I do not believe that!\"\n\n\"Certainly he will not admit it. I can give you proof in a little while that he is not really working for you but against you.\" Yoshi kept his voice down and filled with sincerity. \"Once Nobusada is permanently inside the walls, she rules. That is why she is a problem.\"\n\nOgama sighed and sat back, again weighing what his adversary had been saying, much of which was true, wondering how far he could trust him. Certainly a secret alliance had possibilities, if the price extracted was high enough.\n\n\"The answer to her is to break the marriage,\" he said thinly. \"The Emperor was asked to approve it, eh? Perhaps the Emperor would be happy to request the annulment. At once you neutralize her, gain back support from the many who detest the Toranaga connection as a gross impertinence... not my opinion,\" he added hastily, seeing a momentary flush, not wanting an open clash yet, so much yet to hear and to decide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a moment, Yoshi nodded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A good idea, Ogama-dono. It had not occurred to me.\" Indeed it had not. The more he thought about it, the more titillating the offshoots became. \"That should have priority. Excellent.\"\n\nAcross the square a horse neighed restlessly and skittered. Both men watched while the soldier holding the bridle gentled her, Ogama wondering in his most secret heart if, when he had eliminated Yoshi—and then, without a hiccup, Nobusada, the rest of the Toranagas and their allies—and became Shōgun, if he should then inherit this Imperial Princess. No woman would ever give me a problem, she would be spawning sons so quickly even gods would smile.\n\n\"So what is your proposal?\" he asked, his head reeling with the wonderful avenues a temporary alliance might open.\n\n\"We make a secret agreement from today to join forces and influence and formulate plans: first to smash the shishi; second to neutralize Anjo and Sanjiro of Satsuma; third, a surprise attack on Tosa being a priority. The moment Anjo is dead or resigns, I will propose you as Elder in his place and guarantee your appointment. Simultaneously Zukumura will resign and a replacement, agreed in advance by both of us, put in his place. Three to two. Toyama I keep, Adachi is replaced by your appointee. I vote for you to be the Council Leader.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"With the rank of tairō.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"To be Chief Minister of the Council, that is enough.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Perhaps not. In return for what?\"\n\n\"From today Tosa and Satsuma are considered enemy. You will commit all necessary force for a joint, surprise attack on Tosa the moment it is feasible. We divide his fief.\"\n\n\"As he is an Outside Lord, his lands should go to an Outside Lord.\"\n\n\"Perhaps, perhaps not,\" Yoshi said easily. \"You agree never to ally yourself with Tosa and Satsuma against me, or the Shōgunate. If, I should say when, Satsuma and Tosa separately or together attack you, I bind myself to support you at once with massive force.\"\n\n\"Next?\" Ogama asked impassively.\n\n\"You agree not to take sides against me, as I agree not to take sides against you.\"\n\n\"Next?\"\n\n\"From today, quietly, each in our own way, we work to annul the marriage.\"\n\n\"Next?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Last: the Gates. You agree that legal, legitimate Shōgunate forces take back control from dawn tomorrow.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama's face closed. \"I already showed you I am the legal and legitimate representative of the Deity.\"\n\n\"I already pointed out, though the document is certainly signed correctly, the signature was, regretfully, obtained by misrepresentation.\"\n\n\"So sorry, no.\"\n\n\"The Gates must come back into Shōgunate control.\"\n\n\"Then we have little left to talk about.\"\n\nYoshi sighed. His eyes slitted. \"Then, sadly, there will be a new request from the Emperor—for you to leave the Gates and leave Kyōto with all your men.\"\n\nJust as coldly Ogama stared back at him. \"I doubt it.\"\n\n\"I, Toranaga Yoshi, guarantee it. In six or seven days Shōgun Nobusada and his wife are within the palace. As Guardian I have immediate access to him—and to her. Both will see the correctness of my argument—about the Gates and much else.\"\n\n\"What much else?\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The way station of otsu had been bustling all day in a crescendo of excitement, anticipation paired with fear over final preparations for tonight's stop of the impossibly august visitors, Shōgun Nobusada and the Princess Yazu." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For weeks the citizens had been brooming streets, cleaning all dwellings, hovels, outhouses—roofs, walls, wells, gardens manicured—new tiles, shojis; tatamis, verandas, with the Inn of Many Flowers, the best and biggest in the whole of Otsu, still in a state of near panic." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It had begun the moment it was known the Hallowed Travellers had declined to stay in the nearby Shōgunate castle of Sakamoto that had graced the area since before Sekigahara, selecting the Inn instead: \"Everything must be perfect!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the Patron wailed, awed and at the same time petrified." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Anything not perfect will merit beheading or at the very least a whipping, man, woman or child! Tales of the honor done to us this one night will be remembered through the ages—our successes or failures! The Lord High Shōgun himself? In all his glory? His wife, a sister of the Deity? Oh ko...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Late in the afternoon, veiled, surrounded by guards and counselors and well screened from being observed, Shōgun Nobusada hurried from his palanquin through the gates into the isolated section of the Inn reserved for him, with the Princess and their entourage of personal bodyguards, servants, her ladies-in-waiting and maids." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were forty traditional raised bungalows of four rooms each, surrounding the inner sanctum of the Shōgun's sleeping quarters and bathhouse, many of the covered verandas interlocking in a maze of pleasing walks and bridges over delicate pools and streams that came down from tiny mountains and all self-contained within a high, thick hedge of manicured hemlocks." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The room was warm and spotless, with new tatamis and polished charcoal braziers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nobusada threw his veiled hat and outer clothes aside, tired and querulous." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As always the palanquin had been uncomfortable and the ride bumpy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I hate this place already,\" he said to their Chamberlain, whose head was touching the floor beside those of an echelon of maids." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's so small and stinks and I ache all over! Is the bath ready?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, yes. Sire, everything is as you require.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Otsu at long last, Sire,\" Princess Yazu said gaily, sweeping in with several ladies-in-waiting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tomorrow we arrive home and everything will be marvelous.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She dropped her huge, also veiled, hat and outer clothes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maids scrambled to gather them up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tomorrow we will be home! Home, Sire! Bypassing a few way stations will be well worth it, neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, yes, Yazu-chan, if you say so,\" he said, smiling at her, quickly caught up in her exuberance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You will meet all my friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, elder sister and baby sister, my dear stepbrother Sachi, he's nine this year\"—she twirled with happiness—\"and hundreds of less close relatives and in a few days you'll meet the Emperor and he will greet you as his brother too and solve all our problems and we will live in tranquility ever after. It's cold in here. Why isn't everything ready? Where is the bath?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their Chamberlain—a portly, greying man of fifty with few teeth and heavy jowls—had already been here a day with an advance party of special maids and cooks to prepare their quarters, and particular foods and fruits, with an abundance of polished rice, which the Shōgun's delicate stomach required and the Princess demanded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Superb flower arrangements by a Master of ikebana abounded." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again he bowed, inwardly cursing her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Extra charcoal heaters are ready, Imperial Highness. The bath is ready, your light meal just as you and Shōgun Nobusada ordered, dinner the same. It will be the most sumptuous—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Emiko! Our bath!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once her chief lady-in-waiting led her out and down the corridor, cocooned by other ladies and maids like the queen bee she was." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nobusada glared up at the Chamberlain and stamped his tiny foot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Am I to be kept waiting? Show me the bath and send for the masseuse, I want my back rubbed now. And make sure there is no noise—I forbid noise!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, Sire, the Captain issues the order daily and I will send the masseuse to the bathhouse, Sire. Sako will b—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sako? She's not as good as Meiko—where's Meiko?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, she's sick, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tell her to get better! Tell her to be better by sunset. No wonder she's sick. I feel sick! This foul journey! Baka! How many days on the road? It should be at least fifty-three and it's less than... why all the haste...?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain of the Escort waited for the Chamberlain in the garden." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was in his thirties, bearded, highly trained, a renowned Master of Swords." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His adjutant hurried up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Everything is secure, sir.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Good. It should all be routine by now,\" the Captain said, his voice weary and edged." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both wore light travelling armor and hats and two swords over Shōgunate tunics and pantaloons." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Only one more day—then our problems get worse. I still cannot believe the Council and Guardian would allow such a dangerous venture.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His adjutant had heard the same thing said every day." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, Captain. At least we will be in our own barracks, with hundreds more men.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not enough, never enough, we should never have left. But we did and karma is karma. Check the rest of the men and make sure the evening roster of guards is correct. And then tell the horse master to look at my mare, to take a look at her left foot, she may have split her hoof...\" Shoeing horses was unknown in Japan at this time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She almost shied passing the barrier, then come back and report.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man hurried away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Captain was more satisfied than usual." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His tour of the Inn and its grounds within the high, giant perimeter bamboo fences, and particularly this sector, the hedged area with a single gateway, had reassured him that the Shōgun's cluster of bungalows was easy to defend, that all other travellers had been forbidden the Inn for this night, that the watch knew the password and were clear on their prime duty: no one was allowed within five metres of the Shōgun or his wife uninvited, and no one, ever, with any weapons—except the Guardian, the Council of Elders and himself, and any guards accompanying him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The law was well known, the punishment for an armed approach death, for both the armed man and the unalert guards—unless pardoned by the Shōgun personally." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, Chamberlain! Is there any change of plans?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, Captain.\" The old man sighed and mopped his brow, his jowls shaking." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The August Ones are bathing as usual, then they will rest as usual, take their real bath and massage at sunset as usual, after which they will dine as usual, play Go as usual and go to bed. All is in order?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Here, yes.\" The Captain had a garrison of a hundred and fifty samurai at any one time within the compound that measured about two hundred metres square." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A unit of ten men guarded the only entrance, a pleasing bridge over a stream that led to tall decorative beams and equally ornate gates." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Around the whole perimeter hedge a samurai was stationed every ten paces." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These would be relieved by fresh units from the six hundred samurai lodging in barracks just outside the main gate or nearby in other Inns." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Patrols would scour the garden and fence line discreetly, as noise and an obvious samurai presence infuriated the Princess and therefore her husband." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Above them the clouds were thickening, a bleak, misted sun not yet on the horizon, a high wind toying with the clouds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was cold and promised to be colder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Servants were lighting lanterns amongst the shrubs, their light already reflected in the pools, and glistening off rocks that had been moistened for that effect moments ago." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's beautiful,\" the Captain said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Easily the best, though most of the other Inns have been good.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the first time he had ever made such a journey." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All his life he had been within or near Yedo Castle, with or near Nobusada, or the previous Shōgun." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Beautiful, yes, but I'd rather have the Lord Shōgun and his wife in Sakamoto Castle than here. You should have insisted.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I tried, Captain, but... but she decided.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I will be glad when we are in our own barracks, when they are within the palace walls and even gladder when we and they are safe at home in Yedo Castle.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes,\" the Chamberlain said, privately weary of his Master and Mistress and the constant fault finding, nagging and petulance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, he thought, his back aching, wanting a bath and massage too, and the attentions of his youthful friend, I suppose I would be the same if I were as exalted as them, so mollycoddled from birth, and only sixteen." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"May I ask the password, Captain?\"\n\n\"Until the middle of the night it is 'Blue Rainbow.'\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two hundred metres away on the eastern outskirts of the village, an old broken-down farmhouse huddled at the end of an alley not far from the Tokaidō and the Otsu barrier." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside, the leader of the shishi attack team, a Choshu youth called Saigo, glowered at the farmer, his wife, four children, father and mother, brother and a maid who knelt petrified, crowded into a corner. This was the only room and it served for living, eating, working, sleeping. A few scrawny chickens in a rafter cage clucked nervously. \"Remember what I told you. You know nothing, have seen nothing.\"\n\n\"Yes, Lord, certainly, Lord,\" the old man whimpered.\n\n\"Shut up! Turn your backs, face the corner and close your eyes, all of you. Tie your sashes around your eyes!\"\n\nThey obeyed. Instantly.\n\nSaigo was eighteen, tall and strongly built, with a rugged handsome face and he wore a short dark tunic and pantaloons similar to the samurai at the Inn and two swords, straw sandals, no armor. When he was satisfied the peasants were blind as well as docile, he sat beside the door and peered out through rips in the window paper and began to wait.\n\nHe could see the barrier and guard houses clearly. It was not yet sunset so the barrier was still open to latecomers. It had taken him and his men many days to find this place, ideal for their purposes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The back door led to a maze of alleys and paths, perfect for a sudden retreat. This afternoon, the moment the Shōgun's party had passed through the barrier, he had taken sudden possession.\n\nFootsteps. His hand readied his sword, then relaxed. Another youth came in silently, to be followed by another from a different direction. Soon seven more were within. Outside one stood guard, another at the corner of the alley that joined with the Tokaidō, with an eleventh man, hiding in the village, to act as courier to gallop the glad tidings of success to Katsumata in Kyōto that would signal the attack on Ogama and the Gates. They were tough young men, dressed as he was without armor and identification, formerly goshi—the lowest rank of samurai—now ronin, all more or less the same age, nineteen to twenty-two. Only Saigo, eighteen, and Tora, seventeen, his Satsuma second in command, were younger. Drafts through rents in the window shivered them—that and their tension.\n\nWith signs he motioned them to check their swords, shuriken and other lethal weapons—no need for words during the whole operation. As much as could be planned had been decided over the days. They all agreed it was to be conducted in silence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A glance out of the window." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sun was touching the horizon, sky clear. It was time.\n\nSolemnly he bowed to them and they bowed to him.\n\nHe turned his attention back to the peasants. \"Three men will be outside,\" he said harshly. \"One rustle out of any of you until I get back and they'll fire the farm.\"\n\nAgain the old man whimpered.\n\nSaigo gestured to the others. They followed him. So did the outside guard and the one on the corner. No turning back now. Those who were Buddhist had said a final prayer before a shrine, those who were Shinto had lit a last stick of incense and so joined their spirit with the thread of smoke that represented the fragility of life. All had written their death poems and sewn them to the breast of their tunics. Proudly they had given their correct fiefs; only the names were false." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once in the alley they split up into pairs, each taking an independent route." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 10 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Soon they were in position, crouched down in the tall weeds and coarse vegetation beside the perimeter fence at the back of the Inn, within sight of each other, Saigo at the southeast corner. The fence was three metres high and strongly made of giant bamboo and spiked at the top. By now shadows were losing form in the fading light.\n\nWaiting. Heartbeats heavy in their chests, palms sweaty, the slightest rustle an enemy patrol. Strange, strong taste in every mouth. Stabbing pains in the loins. Somewhere nearby a cricket began its urgent mating call, reminding Saigo of his death poem:\n\nA cricket with its joy-filled song,\n\nDies quickly anyway\n\nBetter to be joy filled than sad." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He felt his eyes mist as the sky was misting, So beautiful to be so happy yet so sad.\n\nFrom inside the fence they could hear voices of servants, maids, occasionally samurai, and the clatter of metal dishes, for the kitchen area was not far away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the distance a samisen and the singer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Waiting. Sweat fell down Saigo's face. Then he heard the approaching, barely perceptible rustle of a kimono and a girl whisper, \"Blue Rainbow... Blue Rainbow.\" Then silence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again sounds of the Inn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once he motioned to Tora, beside him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silently this youth hurried to the other units and gave them the words and came back again. At Saigo's signal each pair found the ladders they had made, camouflaged and hidden in the wild undergrowth so carefully, set them against the fence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Again he watched the sky. As the last thread of sunlight went, another signal and they went up and over the fence as one man, jumping to the ground that was soft and tilled, crouching motionlessly in the meticulous shrubbery but ready for an instant frontal attack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Miraculously, no alarm yet. They looked up, warily." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Frequency requirement: 'roofs' - 2 occurrence(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ahead, sixty metres away, was the Shōgun's section, the thatched roofs showing just above the tall, thick hedge of hemlock, the roofs of the central sleeping section and bathhouses a little higher. The main entrance was well away from them, its doors still open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everything exactly as they expected." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except for the guards, many more than planned for." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bile jumped into their mouths.\n\nTo their right were the main kitchens with great steaming cauldrons and massed staff—more guards there." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Left and all around the compound were a scattering of guest cottages, in other gardens with streams and bridges, each with a well-tended entrance path curling through the shrubs. Silence there and no lights within, just one lantern at the front veranda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "More anguish, they had expected them to be occupied and to serve as cover and a necessary diversion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Karma, Saigo thought. Even so our positions are as we predicted, so are those of the enemy, the plan is good and we know the password." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During the previous two weeks, disguised as an ordinary samurai traveller, he had found the correct courtesan and inveigled his way into her emotions so that soon he had been taken on a secret guided tour of the grounds—even to the places where the Hallowed Travellers were to rest.\n\n\"Why not?\" he had whispered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Who will know? They're not due here for days—ah, you are so beautiful. Let us join where a Shōgun and a sister of the Son of Heaven will join—that will be something to whisper to our grandchildren, eh? I think I shall never leave you...\"\n\nIt had been equally easy to find a bathhouse maid who was secretly fanatic for shishi, and to persuade her there was no risk to listen and whisper a few words into the night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He felt Tora touch his arm. Anxiously the youth pointed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A patrol had come through the far gates. It began to circle the grounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Small pools of light were beneath the lanterns." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Inevitably the patrol would come this way and be very close." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His signal, the call of a night bird, gave the order." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once they sank deeper into the foliage and kept their heads lowered, hardly breathing. The patrol approached, and then passed without seeing them—just as Katsumata had forecast when he had suggested their attack plan: \"Initially it will be easy to be missed in the dark. Never forget surprise is with you. Your infiltration will be totally unexpected. Who would dare to attack the Shōgun when he is surrounded by so many men? At a way station? Impossible! Remember, with stealth, surprise and ferocious speed two or three of you will reach the kernel—and one is enough.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Saigo watched the enemy marching away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A marvelous glow pervaded him and all his confidence returned. Another short wait until the enemy patrol had turned the corner, then he motioned for the attack teams to move into their predetermined positions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Protected from view by the shrubbery, four men slithered away to his right, two to his left. When all were in position, he took a deep breath to help slow his heartbeat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His signal, again the call of a night bird, gave the order to begin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once the pair on his far right eased out of the shrubs onto the path, adjusting the ties on their pantaloons, and began strolling away, their arms around each other as lovers will. Within moments they had been noticed by the guards at the nearest hedge. \"You two, halt!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two youths obeyed and one called out, \"Blue Rainbow, Blue Rainbow, Lord Sergeant,\" and both laughed, pretending to be shy at being seen, then continued to stroll away, hand in hand.\n\n\"Halt! Who are you?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ah, so sorry, just friends on a nightly stroll,\" the youth said in his softest, most gentle voice. \"Blue Rainbow, have you forgotten our password?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of the samurai laughed and said, \"If the Captain catches you 'strolling' in the bushes around here you'll get more than a Blue Rainbow and both pairs of cheeks will know another type of beating!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again both youths pretended to laugh." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unhurried, they walked away, ignoring more strident calls to stop. Finally the Sergeant shouted, \"You two. Come here, at once!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "They faced him a moment, calling out plaintively there was no harm in what they were doing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Saigo and the others, covered by the diversion, had been crawling into final positions. Taut with excitement that they had not been noticed, they rested a second, knowing this diversion was almost over." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sound of the night bird Saigo made this time was loud enough to reach the two youths.\n\nWithout hesitation, they pretended to laugh and ran off gaily, hand in hand, directly away from the guards as though playing a game." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their path carelessly took them through a pool of light and allowed them to be seen clearly for the first time." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a shout of rage the Sergeant and four men charged in pursuit. Sentries at the far main gate peered into the darkness to see what was happening, and those guards at the hedge who could see beckoned others nearby, all of them alert." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two shishi were quickly surrounded. Back to back, swords ready, they stood silently at bay under a barrage of questions, nothing effeminate now in their stance or the way their lips were drawn back from the teeth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Enraged, the Sergeant stepped forward a pace. The youth opposing him readied." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His right hand darted into his sleeve and came out with a shuriken and before the Sergeant could duck or move aside the five-pointed circle of steel was embedded in his throat and he fell burbling, choking in his own blood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both shishi leapt to the attack but neither could break out of the net and though they fought bravely, wounding three of the samurai, they were no match for the others who, though wanting to disarm them and capture them alive, could not do so.\n\nOne of the youths took a sword thrust through the lower part of his back and cried out, severely wounded but not enough to kill him immediately." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The other whirled to his aid and in that instant was mortally wounded and crumpled, dying." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sonno-joi,\" he gasped. Aghast, the other heard him, made one last impotent attempt to close with an attacker, then abruptly turned his sword on himself and fell on it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Find the Captain,\" a samurai panted, blood streaming from a sword slash in his arm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of the others ran off as the rest collected around the bodies, the Sergeant still gurgling though dying fast." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing we can do for him. Never seen a shuriken so fast.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Someone turned the two dead men over. \"Look, death poems! Shishi all right—eeee, both Satsumas! They must have gone mad.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sonno-joi!\" another muttered. \"That's not mad.\"\n\n\"It's mad to say that aloud,\" a hard-faced ashigaru warned him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If an officer hears you...\"\n\n\"Listen, these motherless dogs had the password, there's a traitor here!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More nervously they looked at each other.\n\nOver on the right the kitchen staff were transfixed, not knowing what was going on." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required word frequency: 'saigo' (2x)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Many samurai had been drawn away from the hedge and stood gaping at the bodies, creating the opening Katsumata and Saigo had planned.\n\nAgain Saigo signalled. His two strongest fighters broke out of the bushes on his extreme right and ran for the far southeast corner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Almost at once they were spotted." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cursing, the two nearest samurai rushed to intercept as others ran to their aid. Violent hand-to-hand combat began again, darkness helping the attackers immeasurably." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One defender screamed and went down clawing his half-severed arm." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More samurai were drawn away from the hedge immediately in front of Saigo and just before the samurai overwhelmed the two fighters, in a coordinated maneuver the two shishi broke off the battle and pretended to flee pell-mell for the fence near the kitchens, well away from Saigo and the three final teams. As they fled they unwound ropes from their waists with small grapples on the end." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nearing the fence, they threw them deftly, caught the top, and began to climb, their pursuers redoubling their efforts.\n\nBy now all attention was on these two." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Guards near the entrance and the far side of the Shōgun's complex, still not knowing exactly what was happening other than that two ronin were loose in the compound and were now trying to escape over the fence, hurried to intercept them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Others ran out and down the perimeter fence to catch them on that side." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'before' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of the shishi reached the top of the fence but before he could scramble over it a knife impaled him and he fell backwards into the shrubberies. The other man abandoned his rope, leapt beside his friend and just had time to see him bury his own knife in his throat to avoid capture before he went down under a flurry of blows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He twisted and turned and fought with great strength but was soon disarmed and pinioned to the earth by four samurai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Now, who are you?\" a samurai asked, out of breath." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Who are you and what's your game?\"\n\n\"Sonno-joi... obey your Emperor,\" the man panted, and again tried to fight out of their grip but could not." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Others were collecting around him and he was confident he had done his part in the attack and could continue his diversion for a little while longer, unafraid of capture, because there was a poison vial in the neck of his kimono within reach of his teeth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I am Hiroshi Ishii of Tosa, and demand to see the Shōgun.\"\n\nFrom where he was hidden Saigo and the five men with him could hear their compatriot but their attention was fixed on the hedge facing them and on the far entrance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The few remaining guards left it to gather around the doomed man and now, at last, the target was open. \"Attack!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The six men leapt to their feet and charged, Saigo and Tora leading the wedge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They had covered perhaps half the distance before there was a warning shout and samurai surrounding the bodies of the first team began running back to head them off. At once Ishii redoubled his efforts to escape, shouting and raving to distract those holding him but a fist smashed him into unconsciousness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You two stay here,\" the samurai panted, sucking his bruised knuckles. \"Don't kill the son of a dog, we'll need him alive.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got up painfully and limped off to join the others, a bad sword cut on his thigh." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some of the defenders were gaining on the six shishi who still ran directly at the hedge that curled away in both directions. \"Now!\" Saigo ordered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Immediately the pair to his right turned back into defensive positions, shurikens in their hands. Warily the running samurai slowed, darted left and right, feinted, then attacked, the shurikens finding targets but not wounding badly enough and another hand-to-hand began, six samurai against the two of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reinforcements were running from the main gate, others from the first diversion, all of them, defenders and attackers, converging on their lodestar—the gateway to the Shōgun's lair." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When the men from the Inn's main gate saw to their horror that the hedges and entrance had been left completely unguarded—though the doors were closed—with Saigo and three others running fast and not far from the hedge, they swung away to position themselves between the shishi and the entrance, leaving others to attack them, and frantically raced to protect the gate. Behind Saigo and Tora the two fighters were attacking, retreating, still covering their rear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both men had sustained wounds but two samurai were on the ground, writhing with pain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four against two with others not far away.\n\n\"Now!\" Saigo ordered, and the pair on his left broke away and stabbed for the entrance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No doubt they would reach it before the defenders and this caused others heading for Saigo also to change direction and make for the entrance as well. At once Saigo and Tora whirled and joined the fight behind them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their ferocious charge dispatched two of the remaining four samurai and helped eliminate the remaining enemy—only Saigo and Tora, though breathing heavily, were untouched.\n\nAt once Saigo ordered, \"Go!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the two men sang out, \"Sonno-joi,\" and, painfully, rushed to support the attack on the entrance, drawing off more samurai, leaving Saigo and Tora to resume their headlong charge for the hedge.\n\nThe first pair of shishi attacking the gateway reached the narrow path and ran for the doors." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One man began to push them open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that moment an arrow thwacked viciously into the wood and then both men were hit and shortly riddled with more arrows from bowmen amongst the reinforcements. They cried out, impotently tried to continue, and died on their feet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The second team gained the pathway." }, { "from": "human", "value": "One rushed at the oncoming samurai, the other went for the gates, stumbled over his dead comrades, and died, pierced with four arrows." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His friend hit the samurai head-on, and was quickly killed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only minutes had passed since the beginning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now the way was open to the pathway." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In moments the fleetest of the defenders would reach the entrance and then there would be no way that Saigo and Tora, almost at the end of their run and due to turn for the gateway, could reach their goal. So the pace of the defenders slackened, the bowmen took aim leisurely, confident of victory." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To their astonishment, instead of wheeling along the hedge, Saigo and Tora kept the straight line of their rush and hurled themselves forward at the hedge, side by side." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'through' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Their momentum caused them to burst through it, that and the accuracy of their leap. Over preceding days, Saigo found that though the branches were tightly interwoven, the trunks of the trees were about half a metre apart, and, he had surmised, if judged correctly, a rush would carry them through." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It did, successfully, though the branches lashed them bloodily around the face and arms." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two men picked themselves up exactly where Saigo had planned—on the meandering path beside the veranda that led to the bathhouse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment no one was in sight, then several terrified maids and servants gaped at them from a doorway and vanished. Saigo led the soundless dash down the path and up the steps and around the veranda corner." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two anxious officials came out of nowhere, unarmed and unprepared, one of them the Chamberlain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Saigo cut both down, killing the Chamberlain instantly, and wounding the other, and charged onwards. Tora finished off this man, jumped over the bodies and rushed in pursuit." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Along the veranda and around the corner and smashing through the light shoji screen, they burst into the bathhouse. Half-naked maids stared at them panic-stricken: swords bloody, faces scratched and bloody, kimonos ripped and bloody." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The air was warm, sweet-smelling, humid." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Saigo bellowed with rage. The steaming, shallow bath, fed from a natural hot spring, was empty, so were the four wooden steam boxes, and so were the massage tables, except one." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In an instant he saw every detail of the tiny naked girl lying there, the shock in her eyes, her half-opened mouth, teeth blackened, her plume of jet hair twisted into a stark white towel, more towels under her, small breasts and limbs and feet, dark brown nipples, all of her curved, inviting, golden skin now pinkish from the heat of the bath, oiled and fragrant—and the blind, half-naked masseuse, standing motionlessly over her, head cocked, listening intently.\n\nSo easy to kill the girl and all of them, but his orders were not to harm the Princess at all costs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nonetheless his fury at being cheated—for their timing had been perfect, their intelligence perfect and the Shōgun's pattern never varying—made his head seem about to explode." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fury turned to lust and shivered him, all of him wanting her, now, fast, brutally, any way, the wife before the husband, death to both of them but first her splayed.\n\nHis lips came away from his teeth and he charged across the expanse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The maids scattered, one fainted, the Princess gasped and lay motionless, petrified. But his obsession with the Shōgun diverted him and his rush bypassed her and took him to the shoji door where again he crashed through and, once more, with Tora close behind, unerringly led the run along verandas towards the sleeping quarters and his prey, gardens to his right, rooms left—no longer a thinking man just a raging killing animal." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shoji doors were open, faces there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maids and youths and ladies-in-waiting and servants attracted by the commotion, dressed or half dressed for the evening or for bed or for bath, gaped at them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No guards in these rooms. Yet.\n\nStill no opposition. Yet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few more rooms to pass, doors, faces, and then he would turn the last corner and last veranda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Saigo's anticipation crested, for this was a delightful covered walkway, gardens right and left, no more rooms with waiting guards to worry about, and at the end the Shōgun's sleeping quarters where he himself and the courtesan had secretly bedded." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All senses tuned for expected danger, Tora a few paces behind him, running as fast, sounds of men approaching, pounding feet. Another room passed. Only one more doorway, last danger." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Faces at the door, a doctor and a coughing youth stared at him in shock, then he was around the corner, and together they began the last charge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both men skidded to a stop. Their hearts stopped. Ahead an officer and three samurai came out of the sanctuary door, swords drawn, to stand waiting for them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The barest hesitation, then Saigo rushed to the kill, his or theirs, Tora equally committed—only these four men between them and the Shōgun they protected. \"Sonno-joi!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Captain held the first charge, parried the blow and locked sword to sword, then twisted and hacked at Saigo as two other samurai attacked Tora, the last staying in reserve as ordered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Saigo deflected the blow and slashed back but missed. Another ferocious flurry of blow and counterblow, Saigo supremely confident, so near to success, pressing the attack, feeling superhuman and that his blade, almost of its own volition, was seeking enemy flesh as it would in seconds destroy the boy Shōgun..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a blinding flash behind his eyes, the pounding in his head soared and he suddenly saw that doctor again and that boy again and remembered someone telling him it was believed the boy Shōgun had a hacking cough—no portraits of him, of course, not one of the shishi ever having seen him, of course: \"If you do not catch him in the bathhouse,\" Katsumata had said, \"you will recognize him by his blackened teeth, the cough, his nearness to the Princess, the quality of his robes—remember, both he and the Princess detest guards nearby.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "With enormous, heightened strength, howling like a wild beast, Saigo hacked at the Captain, who slipped on the polished floor and was, for an instant, helpless." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Saigo did not deliver the death blow, instead whirled back for the boy—and the last samurai saw the opening he had been ordered to wait for. His sword went deep into Saigo's side but Saigo felt none of it and cut impotently at the Shōgun wraith in front of him, again and once again and slid to the floor stabbing, already dead but not knowing it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Captain had leapt to his feet and hurtled to the attack on Tora, impaled him, and then like an expert butcher withdrew the blade and beheaded him with a single blow.\n\n\"Do the same to him,\" he gasped, pointing at Saigo, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his breath, and rushed back up the veranda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the corner, men from the entranceway came pounding up, headed by his second in command." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He cursed him and them, shoved him out of the way and hurried past saying: \"Every man on this shift ordered to the square outside the Inn, disarmed and on their knees. You too!\"\n\nHis heart was still pounding and he was enraged and not yet over his panic." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just before sunset Nobusada had testily sent for him: \"Take all guards from inside the hedge. Ridiculous to have them here, the rooms so small and awful! Are you helpless, so inept you can't secure this nasty little Inn? Must we bathe with guards, sleep with guards, eat with them looking at us? Go away, tonight I forbid all guards here!\"\n\n\"But, Sire, I must ins—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You will insist on nothing. No guards inside the hedge tonight. This meeting is ended!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was nothing the Captain could do, but then there was no need to worry." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course everything was secure.\n\nWhen the first muffled sounds of the attack had reached him he was making a final, satisfactory circuit inside the hedge, four men with him—the hedge also acting as a fine sound barrier." }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the time he had reached the gate doors and looked out, he had been appalled to see four men charging the hedge, two rushing for the gates." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His first thought was for the Shōgun and he ran for the bathhouse but the Chamberlain had called out: \"What's going on?\"\n\n\"Men are attacking us, get the Shōgun out of the bath!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He's not there, he's with the doctor...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another panicked dash, bypassing the bathhouse to the inner quarters, finding them empty, a frightened maid saying that the Lord Shōgun was in one of the rooms on the next veranda and then coming out and seeing the two men charging, no way to protect the Shōgun now but thinking if these two were attacking here perhaps they had missed his liege lord...\n\nHe knew he would not truly be alive until he found him alive." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This took no time. Nobusada was coughing and raving, still in fright, others around him adding to the tumult." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Quickly he learned the Princess was unharmed though also hysterical." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His panic left him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He disregarded Nobusada's rage, his voice icy, and every soldier nearby quailed: \"Get a courier and four men on the double to rush a report ahead and except for this present shift, all guards here on the double, every man within the compound, fifty men around the sleeping quarters, two men at each corner of every veranda. And ten men permanently in sight of the Lord Shōgun until he and she are safely within the palace walls.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "In midmorning the next day, within the palace walls, Yoshi hurried through the outer rim of gardens in the light rain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "General Akeda was beside him. \"This is terribly dangerous, Sire,\" he said, afraid that every shrub or thicket, however carefully tended, might hide enemies." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both men wore light armor and swords—a rarity here where all samurai and all weapons were forbidden, except for the ruling Shōgun and an immediate guard of four, the Leader of the Elders and Guardian of the Heir." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was almost noon. The two men were late and noticed none of the beauty surrounding them, lakes and bridges and flowering shrubs and trees groomed and cherished over centuries." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whenever a gardener saw them, the man would kowtow until they were out of sight. Over their armor were straw overmantles against the rain." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All morning there had been intermittent showers. Yoshi's pace quickened.\n\nThis was not the first time he had hurried to a clandestine meeting within the palace grounds—safe but never truly safe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So difficult to have a truly safe meeting anywhere, with a spy, informer, or adversary—in secret almost impossible—always afraid of ambush, poison or hidden bowmen or musketeers. The same applied to every daimyo." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His own safety factor he knew was very low. So low in fact that his father and grandfather had taught him to accept the fact that death from old age had no place in their karma." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We are as safe as anywhere on earth,\" he said. \"It would be unthinkable to break a truce here.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, except for Ogama. He is a liar, cheat, he should be meat for vultures, his head spiked.\"\n\nYoshi smiled and felt better." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since the appalling news of the shishi attack had arrived in the middle of the night he had been more on edge than ever—more than when on the death of his uncle he had been passed over as Shōgun and Nobusada appointed instead, more than when tairō Ii had arrested him, his father and their families and sent them to rot in foul quarters. He had made preparations to rush two hundred men to meet the entourage at the Kyōto barrier, and at dawn had sent Akeda secretly to Ogama to relate what had happened and why a large party of men equipped for war were leaving his stockade." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tell Ogama all that we have been told, and answer any of his questions. I want no mistakes, Akeda.\"\n\n\"There will be none from me, Sire.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good. Then give him the letter and request an immediate answer.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi had not told Akeda what the letter contained, nor did his general ask. And when Akeda returned Yoshi said, \"Tell me exactly what he did.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ogama read the letter twice and spat, cursed twice, threw it at his counselor, Basuhiro, who read it with that stony, slimy, pockmarked face of his that gave nothing away, who said, 'Perhaps we should discuss this in private, Sire.' I told them I would wait, I did and then after a reasonable time Basuhiro came out and said, 'My Lord agrees but he will come armed and I will be armed.' What's this all about, Sire?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi told him and the old man went purple. \"You asked to meet him alone? With only myself as guard? That is craziness, just because he says he will come only with Basuhi—\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<USAGE LIMIT>>: 'about' must be used 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Enough!\" Yoshi knew the risks were great but he had to gamble again, had to have an answer on his proposal about the Gates and then, when he was about to leave and one of the surfeit of Shōgunate spies reported certain conversations overheard between the shishi Katsumata and others at the Inn of Whispering Pines, he had been elated he had asked for the meeting. \"There he is!\"\n\nOgama was standing in the shade of a wide-branched tree where they had agreed, Basuhiro at his side." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both were clearly suspicious, expecting treachery, but not as visibly nervous as Akeda. Yoshi had proposed that Ogama come in through the South Gate, he would use the East Gate, leaving his palanquin and guards outside with their safe conduct guaranteed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After the meeting, all four would walk out of the East Gate together.\n\nAs before, the two adversaries walked towards each other to speak alone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Akeda and Basuhiro watched tensely.\n\n\"So!\" Ogama said after their formal greeting." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"A handful of shishi attack through hundreds of guards like a knife through dung—and almost in Nobusada's bath, naked wife and bed before they are caught. Ten men, you say?\"\n\n\"Three were Choshu ronin, the two that got through the hedge were Choshus, one of them the leader.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi was not over his fright at the attack, and wondered if he dared draw his sword at this rare opportunity to challenge Ogama alone—Basuhiro presented no physical threat, with or without Akeda." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I need Ogama dead one way or another, he thought, but not yet. Not when two thousand Choshu hold the Gates and me in thrall." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"All of them died without doing harm, except to some guards, the survivors not long on this earth. I hear you have offered all your Choshu ronin an amnesty?\" he asked, his voice edging, wondering again if Ogama had a secret hand in the planning, which had been impeccable and, if the truth were known, should have been successful." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If shishi or not.\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Ogama said, his mouth smiling." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"All daimyo should do the same, a quick and simple way to control all ronin, shishi or not. They are a pestilence that must be stopped.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I agree. Amnesty will not stop them. May I ask, how many of your ronin have accepted your offer?\"\n\nOgama laughed roughly. \"Clearly not the ones who were in the attack! One or two so far, Yoshi-dono. How many are there in all? A hundred? Not two hundred, of which twenty or thirty may be Choshu? Choshu or not, never mind.\" His face hardened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I did not plan the attack if that is what is in your mind, or know about it.\" The mirthless smile returned." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Un think able to have such a treasonous thought. Eh? Easy to stamp shishi out if you and I wanted to—but their slogan is not as easy to suppress, if indeed it should be suppressed. Power should return to the Emperor, gai-jin should be expelled. Sonno-joi is a good slogan, eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I could say many things, Ogama-dono, but allies should not bait one another. We are allies? You agree?\"\n\nOgama nodded. \"In principle, yes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good,\" Yoshi said, hiding his astonishment that Ogama had agreed to his conditions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Within the year you are Chief of the Elders. From noon I garrison the Gates.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He turned to go." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Everything as you said. Except the Gates.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The vein in Yoshi's forehead knotted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But I said I need the Gates.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry.\" Ogama's hand had not tightened on his sword though his feet had shifted into a better fighting stance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Secret allies, yes, war with Tosa, yes, with Satsuma, yes, the Gates, no. So sorry.\"\n\nFor a moment Yoshi Toranaga said nothing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama stared back unafraid, waiting, ready to fight if need be." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Yoshi sighed, wiped raindrops from the edge of his wide-brimmed hat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I want to be allies. Allies should help one another. I have a compromise, perhaps, but first I give you some special information: Katsumata is here in Kyōto.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The blood rushed into Ogama's face. \"Not possible, my spies would have told me.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He is here and has been here for some weeks.\"\n\n\"There are none of Sanjiro's men in Kyōto, least of all that man. My spies would have t—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, sorry,\" Yoshi said softly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He is here, secretly, not as Sanjiro's path finder and spy, at least not openly. Katsumata is shishi, a Sensei of shishi, and the leader of shishi here, code name the Raven.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama gaped at him. \"Katsumata is the shishi leader?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. And a little more. Think for a moment: Is he not Sanjiro's most trusted, long-time counselor and tactician? Did he outsmart you on behalf of Sanjiro with his false pact and foil you at Fushimi and allow Sanjiro to escape? Does that not mean Sanjiro of Satsuma is secretly the real leader of shishi and that all of their assassinations are part of his general plan to overthrow all of us, you particularly, to become Shogun?\"\n\n\"That's always been Sanjiro's goal, of course,\" Ogama said, momentarily glazed, many hitherto unexplained occurrences now falling into place." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"If he controls all shishi too...\" He stopped, suddenly infuriated that Takeda had never told him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why? Is Takeda not a spy for me, not a true secret vassal after all? \"Where is Katsumata now?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"One of your patrols almost ambushed him at the Inn of Whispering Pines a few days ago.\"\n\nAgain color came into Ogama's face and he almost spat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"He was there? We heard that shishi were sleeping there but I never knew...\" Once again he choked with rage that Takeda had not forewarned him that his hated enemy was within his grasp. Why? Never mind, easy to deal with Takeda. First Katsumata." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have not forgotten Katsumata ruined my surprise attack on Sanjiro." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But for Katsumata, Sanjiro would be dead, I would be overlord of Satsuma, and there would be no need to talk with Toranaga Yoshi—he would be on his knees in front of me. \"Where is he now? Do you know where?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I know the safe house where he was last night, perhaps tonight too.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi added softly, \"There are over a hundred shishi in Kyōto. They already plan a mass attack on you.\"\n\nOgama felt chilled, knowing there was no true defense against a fanatic assassin not afraid to die. \"When?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It was to be at dusk tomorrow—if the attack on the Shōgun had been successful. Then, once you were dead, with adherents amongst your troops, they would seize the Gates.\"\n\nIt took much of Ogama's strength not to tell Yoshi a secret meeting with Takeda was due at dusk tomorrow, a perfect moment for a surprise attack." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And now that it was a failure?\"\n\n\"The information I have is that the leaders are meeting tonight to decide. Now, formally, you head their target list, after Nobusada and myself.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'support' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Why?\" Ogama spluttered. \"I support the Emperor, support the fight against the gai-jin.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi kept the smile off his face, knowing very well. \"Let us join forces tonight. I know their meeting place, where Katsumata and most of the leaders should be—there is a dawn-to-dusk curfew in that part of the city.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama exhaled. \"And the price?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"First, here is more information that seriously affects both of us.\" To Ogama's further disquiet, Yoshi related the details of the Elders' meeting with Sir William and the other Ministers, about his spy Misamoto, about Sir William's threat to make an armed sortie here as soon as his fleet returned, and how the threat and payment had been finessed for the moment." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Their fleet will not pass my Shimonoseki Straits—if I order it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"They could take the long route around South Island.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Precise word count needed: 'route' × 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Long route, short route, it makes no difference. If they land in or near Osaka, I, or we, will destroy them.\"\n\n\"The first time. With great losses but, yes, gai-jin will be repulsed. How ever, two days ago I received a secret report from the department of the Bakufu here who deal with China information.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He brought out the scroll. \"Here, read it for yourself.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What does it say?\" Ogama snapped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That the Yokohama fleet sent to punish the sinking of just one British ship devastated twenty leagues of China's coastline, north of Shanghai, burning all villages, sinking all shipping.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama spat. \"Pirates. Pirate nests.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He knew much about that area." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the past it had been historic, though secret Choshu—and Satsuma—policy to send raiders to the China coast to pillage ruthlessly from Shanghai, southwards beyond Hong Kong to the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese called them wako, pirates, hating and fearing them so much that, for centuries, Emperors of China had forbidden any Japanese from landing on their shores, and all trade between their lands was to be conducted only by non-Japanese." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Pirates, yes, but those scum are not cowards. Not so long ago an army of these same gai-jin humbled all China a second time and burned the Emperor's Summer Palace and Peking at their whim. Their fleets and armies are awesome in power.\"\n\n\"This is Nippon, not China.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama shrugged, not prepared to be drawn out or to divulge his plans for the defense of Choshu. But he was thinking: my coasts are rugged and rock-infested, difficult to invade and very defensible, soon impregnable when all armed emplacements are in place, and bunkers for my fighters." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And we are not Chinese.\"\n\n\"My thought is that we need peace between all daimyos to gain time, to manipulate gai-jin, to learn their cannon secrets and gun secrets and ship secrets and how it seems this one foul little island, smaller than our land, has become the wealthiest in the world and rules most of it.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Lies. Lies spread to frighten cowards here.\"\n\nYoshi shook his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I do not believe that. First we must learn, then we can smash them. We cannot now.\"\n\n\"We can. This is the Land of the Gods. In Choshu I have one cannon factory, soon there will be others. Satsuma has three small steamers, the beginnings of a shipyard, soon there will be others.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "His face twisted. \"We can smash Yokohama and this fleet and by the time others return we will be ready.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi hid his surprise at the vehemence and strength of the hatred, secretly elated he had smoked out another weapon to use." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I agree. My whole point. There, you see, Ogama-dono,\" he said as though greatly relieved, \"we think the same though perhaps from different points. We smash them but in time, we must choose the time, gain their knowledge and let them give us the means to spike their guns and their heads.\" His voice firmed. \"In one year you and I control the Council and Bakufu. In three or four we can buy many guns, cannon and ships.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Paid for how? Gai-jin are greedy.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"One way is coal for their ships. Another is gold.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi explained his prospecting scheme.\n\n\"Clever,\" Ogama said, his lips twisted into a strange smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In Choshu we have coal, iron and trees for ships.\"\n\n\"And one armament factory already.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama laughed, a good laugh, and Yoshi laughed too and knew he had made a breakthrough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"True, and my batteries increase monthly.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama shifted his overmantle under the increasing rain and added pointedly, \"So does my resolve to fire on enemy shipping, when I wish. Is that all your information, Yoshi-dono?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"For the moment. May I advise you to slacken your grip on the Straits—in any event they are yours to play with. Yes, that's all for the moment, but as an ally you will be given all kinds of privileged information.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"As an ally I would expect privileged information.\" Ogama nodded half to himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He glanced back at Basuhiro then changed his mind about consulting him—Yoshi is right, he thought, leaders should have secrets. \"We have talked enough. Katsumata: I asked the price. A joint attack tonight.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What would a very particular ally offer?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama stretched to ease the grinding tension in his neck and shoulders, expecting that question—for all his bravado no fool. Time enough to vary an offer, he thought, though neither of us would ever deign to lose face by bartering like the despised Osaka rice merchants." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You can garrison the Gates for one month, twenty men only at each of the six Gates, two hundred of my men stationed nearby\"—Ogama smiled—\"not near enough to embarrass you. Any persons going in or out will receive permits from your officer of the Gates, as is correct—who will have quietly and previously consulted with my... my liaison officer before permits are granted.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Consult?\"\n\n\"Consult, as between privileged allies, so a consensus can easily be arrived at.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The easy smile was gone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"If more than twenty of your men appear, my men take possession and all agreements are ended. Agreed?\"\n\nYoshi's eyes had flattened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No need to make threats, obviously any trick on either side would end all agreements." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I would prefer forty men at each of the Gates—we can arrange details of how the guard changes without problem—and I garrison the Gates as long as Shōgun Nobusada and the Princess Yazu are inside.\"\n\nOgama had noted the change." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Shogun Nobusada, yes. But not the Princess who... who may stay inside permanently, eh? Forty? Very well, forty at each Gate. Of course, her brother, the Son of Heaven, will not rescind his memorial, his request to me to hold the Gates against his enemies.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven, but I doubt if a cancellation would be forthcoming while Shōgunate forces exercise their historic rights.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "At once Ogama's expression was naked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Let you and I forget this polite back and forth and speak plainly: I'll concede a face-saving device on the Gates in return for Katsumata and all the rest—your men become the honor guard, your banners can be there and I agree with a lot you said, yes, much of it, but I do not concede my opposition to 'historic rights' or to the Shōgunate or Bakufu\"—he stopped, and because he really wanted what was offered, he made another concession—\"to the present Shōgunate and Bakufu, Yoshi-dono. Please excuse my bluntness. It would be good to be allies—I did not expect it would be possible or that I could agree to anything.\"\n\nYoshi nodded, hiding his glee." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 3 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'agree' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I am happy we can agree and I tell you bluntly too we can agree to major changes, and little ones. For example,\" he added lightly, \"if such a memorial arrived from the Emperor, it would be a forgery.\"\n\nNow Ogama's smile was genuine and he felt he had achieved a perfect compromise. \"Good. And now Katsumata.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The attack on the shishi hideaway began a few hours before dawn. Surprise was perfect. Katsumata, all subleaders, and others were inside. And Sumomo.\n\nThe first moment the two lookouts became aware of danger was when, just down the alley, muddy from the rain, one of the hovels burst into flames to muffled cries of alarm from the occupants and close neighbors. At once these men and women—all secret Bakufu plants—began to crowd the alley in pretended panic, the diversion helping to cover the stealthy approach of the attacking force. As the sentries went to investigate, arrows came out of the night and cut them down. One of them howled an alarm before he died.\n\nAt once the main force swarmed out of the night to surround this whole section of slum dwellings. Most of the men were Ogama's, at his request—Yoshi had agreed, saying that he would send a token forty handpicked men, under Akeda.\n\nIn moments many of the assault group had lit torches. These partially illuminated the target hut, back and front, and a fusillade of arrows went into every opening and weak spot." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, unexpectedly, the four Yoshi riflemen ran into position, two at the back of the huts and two in the front, and fired several volleys through the paper walls.\n\nFor an instant there was a stunned silence—samurai, shishi, and all nearby slum dwellers equally shocked—the sound of rapid firing unheard of. Then the silence broke as everyone but the assault group scattered for cover, and screams and shouts came from the wounded within. A hut adjoining the first blaze caught fire and this fire spread rapidly next door and next door and next door until both sides of the far end of the alley became an inferno, trapping many a family inside.\n\nThe Ogama captain leading the raid paid no attention to that hazard, which only threatened inhabitants, but ordered the first attack wave in, disregarding Yoshi's advice to torch the hovels and let his riflemen pick off the shishi as they broke from cover. Four Ogama attackers fell under a vicious shishi sally from the front door and side windows. A general fight erupted both here and in the back alley as another furious foray was contained, men flailing, hampered by the confined space and mud and semidarkness. Two men breached the cordon to be cut down by others waiting in ambush. Another volley into the hovel was followed by another attempted breakout by a frantic group of shishi, a helpless mission as another circle awaited them beyond and then another. Smoke from the fires began to hinder attackers and the attacked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An order from Akeda. His men with torches rushed close to the hovel and hurled them onto the roof or through the shojis, swiftly retreating to give a clear field to their comrades with rifles. More firing and more deaths as another cluster of shishi rushed out to join the shouting, screaming melee. The stench of smoke and offal and blood and fire and burning flesh and death began to fill the damp night. The rain turned to drizzle.\n\nWell protected by personal guards, Ogama and Yoshi were watching from a command position away from the blaze and fighting. Both wore armor and swords and Yoshi had his rifle slung. Beside them were some Bakufu officials. In the raging confusion, they were surprised to see a shishi dart through the cordon and run up the alley, escaping into a side alley obscured from attacking Choshu samurai.\n\n\"Is that Katsumata?\" Ogama called out, but his words were drowned as, without hesitation, Yoshi had aimed and fired and loaded and fired again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man went down screaming, Ogama and everyone nearby recoiling at the suddenness, not expecting Yoshi to become personally involved." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word frequency rule: 'yoshi' × 3" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taking his time, Yoshi aimed again at the man squirming helplessly in the dirt. The bullet shoved the body backwards. A final tortured howl and it became inert.\n\n\"That is not Katsumata,\" Yoshi said, disappointedly.\n\nOgama cursed, his night vision not good. He pulled his eyes off the body and looked at the rifle, loose in Yoshi's hands, repressing a shudder. \"You use that well.\"\n\n\"It is easy to learn, Ogama-dono, too easy.\" With careful nonchalance, Yoshi put another shell into the breech, fairly sure that this would be the first rifle Ogama had seen. He had brought it and his riflemen deliberately to impress him, to keep him off balance, and make him more wary about trying any assassination attempts." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word count directive: Use 'yoshi' exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To kill like this is disgusting, cowardly, dishonorable.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, it is. May I see the gun, please?\"\n\n\"Of course.\" Yoshi put on the safety catch. \"It's American—the very latest breech-loader. I take delivery of five thousand shortly.\" His smile was thin, remembering he had usurped Ogama's order. \"My ancestor was wise to outlaw all guns—anyone can use one of these to kill, close up or from a distance, daimyo, merchant, robber, ronin, peasant, woman, child. My ancestor was very wise. A pity we cannot do the same but gai-jin have made it impossible.\"\n\nThe rifle felt strange to Ogama, heavier than a sword, oiled and deadly, and this added curiously to the excitement of the raid, the killing and screams and battle and knowing that spies had reported Katsumata was truly inside so, soon now, his hated enemy's head would be on display. All this filled him with an untoward sick-sweet nausea.\n\nGood to kill like that without danger to yourself, he told himself, his fingers caressing the barrel, but Yoshi is right again. In the wrong hands... all other hands would be wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Five thousand? Eeee, that would make him very difficult to fight." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I only ordered two hundred and fifty—where is he getting the money, his lands are almost as debt-ridden as mine? Ah yes, I forgot, bartering mining concessions. Clever. I will do the same. What is his secret plan? Does he have a \"Crimson Sky\" too? If Yoshi gets five thousand I must get ten. Tonight he brought forty men. Why forty? Was that to remind me I agreed to forty at each Gate? Forty riflemen could easily decimate my two hundred unless equally armed.\n\n\"You have more here?\" he asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yoshi decided to be open. \"Not at the moment.\"\n\nThoughtfully Ogama handed the rifle back and turned his attention to the hovels.\n\nThe sounds of the battle were lessening, those of the fires increasing, more and more inhabitants trying to douse them in lines passing water buckets. Roofs of the target hut and those each side were burning now. There was another desperate hand-to-hand combat as more shishi left the burning hovel, many already wounded. Yoshi said, \"Katsumata's not amongst them.\"\n\n\"Perhaps he tried to break out from the back.\"\n\nThere, out of their sight, five shishi were already dead in the dirt together with eight Ogama samurai, and six wounded. Another battle between three shishi and ten Ogama samurai was drawing to its inevitable conclusion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A final shout of \"sonno-joi\" and the three men rushed to their deaths. Thirty Choshu samurai were arranged in depth, waiting for the next breakout. Smoke billowed from rips in the shojis. Stench of burning flesh was on the air. No movement from inside. An officer motioned to one of the samurai. \"Report to the Captain what occurred here and ask him, Do we wait or go in?\"\n\nThe man ran off.\n\nIn front, the skirmish ended as all the others had done. The three shishi died bravely." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Add this exact quote somewhere appropriate: \"Empty the huts while there is time. Kill anyone who will not surrender but not the wounded.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Twelve more of them dead here, seventeen Choshu Samurai and one of Yoshi's men scattered in heaps. Fourteen wounded, three shishi helpless, disarmed and still alive. The Captain listened to the report. \"Tell the officer to wait and kill anyone we flush out.\" He called out to a group held in reserve. \"Empty the huts while there is time. Kill anyone who will not surrender but not the wounded.\"\n\nAt once the men went for the door. Inside there were brief shouts and countershouts and then silence. One of the men came out again, blood pouring from a vicious cut in his thigh. \"Half a dozen wounded, many bodies.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Bring them out before the roof falls in!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bodies, and wounded, were lined up in front of Yoshi and Ogama, the officials nearby. Torches cast strange shadows. Twenty-nine dead. Eleven helplessly wounded. Katsumata was not amongst them.\n\n\"Where is he?\" Ogama shouted at the chief official, enraged, Yoshi equally angry, no one knowing exactly how many enemy were within when the battle had begun.\n\nThe man went to his knees. \"Sire, I swear he was there earlier and he never left.\"\n\nOgama stomped over to the nearest wounded shishi. \"Where is he?\"\n\nThe man glared at him through his pain. \"Who?\"\n\n\"Katsumata! Katsumata!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Who? I know no... no Katsumata. Sonno-joi, traitor! Kill me and have done with it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Soon enough,\" Ogama said through his teeth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Each of the wounded was questioned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama had looked into every face—no Katsumata. Or Takeda. \"Kill them all.\"\n\n\"Let them die honorably, as samurai,\" Yoshi said.\n\n\"Of course.\" They both looked back as the roof of the hut fell in and the walls collapsed in a shower of sparks, carrying the adjoining hovels with it. The drizzle turned to rain again. \"Captain! Put the fire out. There must be a cellar, a hiding place, if this piece of dung is not an incompetent fool.\" Ogama strode off, in total rage, believing somehow he had been cheated.\n\nNervously the chief official got off his knees and sidled nearer to Yoshi. \"Excuse me, Sire,\" he whispered, \"but the woman's not here either. There must be a h—\"\n\n\"What woman?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She was young. A Satsuma. She has been with them for some weeks. We believe she was Katsumata's companion. I am sorry to say Takeda is not there either.\"\n\n\"Who?\"\n\n\"A Choshu shishi we have been watching. Perhaps he was Ogama's spy-he was seen sneaking into Ogama's headquarters the day before our other attack on Katsumata failed.\"\n\n\"For certain Katsumata was in there and the other two?\"\n\n\"Certain, Sire. All three, Sire.\"\n\n\"Then there is a cellar or secret escape route.\"\n\nThey found it in the dawn. A trapdoor over a narrow tunnel, just enough to crawl through that ended well away in a weed-covered garden of an empty shack. Furiously Ogama kicked the camouflaged cover. \"Baka!\"\n\n\"We will put a price on Katsumata's head. A special price,\" Yoshi said." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include \"Katsumata must still be in Kyōto. The Bakufu will be ordered to find him, capture him or bring us his head.\" somewhere in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was as angry. Obviously the failure had bruised the relationship so agonizingly manipulated and begun. But he was too shrewd to mention Takeda, or about the woman—she had no significance. \"Katsumata must still be in Kyōto. The Bakufu will be ordered to find him, capture him or bring us his head.\"\n\n\"My adherents will be ordered the same.\" Ogama was a little mollified. He also had been thinking about Takeda, wondering if his escape boded good or bad. He glanced at the Captain who had walked up. \"Yes?\"\n\n\"You wish to view the heads now, Sire?\"\n\n\"Yes. Yoshi-dono?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes.\"\n\nThe wounded shishi were allowed to die honorably without further pain. They were ritually decapitated, their heads washed and were now in a formal row. Forty. Again that number, Ogama thought uneasily. Is that an omen? Nonetheless he hid his disquiet, recognizing none of them.\n\n\"I have seen them,\" he said formally, the dawn misted with the light rain.\n\n\"I have seen them,\" Yoshi said equally gravely.\n\n\"Put the heads on spikes, twenty outside my gates, and twenty outside Lord Yoshi's.\"\n\n\"And the sign, Sire?\" the Captain asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yoshi-dono, what do you suggest?\"\n\nAfter a pause, knowing he was being tried again, Yoshi said, \"The two signs could read: These outlaws, ronin, were punished for crimes against the Emperor. Let all beware misdeeds. Is that satisfactory?\"\n\n\"Yes. And the signature?\" Both of them knew this was highly important and difficult to solve. If Ogama signed it alone, that implied he was legally master of the Gates; if Yoshi, that would imply Ogama was subservient to him, legally true but out of the question. A Bakufu seal implied the same. A Court seal would be undue meddling in temporal matters.\n\n\"Perhaps we give these fools too much importance,\" Yoshi said, pretending contempt. His eyes narrowed as, over Ogama's shoulder, he saw Basuhiro and some guards come around the far corner of the mean, puddled alley at a run. He looked back at Ogama." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why not just put their heads on spikes here? Why give them the honor of a sign? Those who we want to know will know soon enough—and be chastened. Neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ogama was pleased with the diplomatic solution." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Excellent. I agree. Let us meet at dusk an—\" He stopped as he noticed Basuhiro hurrying up to them, sweating and out of breath." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He went to meet him.\n\n\"Courier from Shimonoseki, Sire,\" Basuhiro panted.\n\nOgama's face became a mask. He took the scroll and moved nearer to one of the torches. All eyes were on him as he opened it—Basuhiro politely holding an umbrella over him.\n\nThe message was from the Captain commanding the Straits and dated eight days ago, couriered express, day and night, as highest priority:\n\nSire, yesterday the returning enemy fleet consisting of the flagship and seven other warships, all steamers, some towing coaling barges, entered the Straits. Following your instructions that we should not engage enemy warships without your written orders we let them pass. We could have sunk all of them. Our Dutch advisors confirm this." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When the armada had passed, a steamer frigate flying a French flag arrogantly returned and fired broadside after broadside into four emplacements on the east end of the Straits, destroying them and their cannon, then steamed away. Again I refrained from retaliating in accordance with your orders. If attacked in future I request permission to sink the attacker.\n\nDeath to all gai-jin, Ogama wanted to scream, blind with rage that a whole fleet had been within his grasp, like Katsumata, but had escaped vengeance—like Katsumata. Flecks of foam collected at the corners of his lips. \"Prepare new instructions: Engage and destroy any and all enemy warships.\"\n\nBasuhiro, still trying to catch his breath, said, \"May I suggest, Sire, you consider 'if more than four at any one time.' You have always wanted to maintain surprise.\"\n\nOgama wiped his mouth and nodded, his heart pumping at the thought of so many ships he could have destroyed. The rain had increased and was drumming on the umbrella. Beyond Basuhiro he saw Yoshi and the other officers waiting, watching him, and he weighed whether to treat Yoshi as enemy or ally, the implications of the fleet, the arrogance, and his own impotence swamping him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yoshi-dono!\" He beckoned him and, with Basuhiro, moved further into private. \"Read it, please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yoshi read rapidly. In spite of his control the color left his face." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Is the fleet heading up the inland sea for Osaka? Or will they turn south for Yokohama?\"\n\n\"South or not, the next warships in my waters get blown out of my waters! Basuhiro, send men at once to Osaka an—\"\n\n\"Wait, Ogama-dono,\" Yoshi said quickly, wanting time to think. \"Basuhiro, what is your counsel?\"\n\nThe little man said at once, \"Sire, for the moment I presume it is Osaka and we should, together, prepare at once to defend it. I have already sent spies urgently to discover the fleet's course as best I can.\"\n\n\"Good.\" Ogama shakily wiped rain out of his face. \"Their whole fleet in my Straits... I should have been there.\"\n\nBasuhiro said, \"It is more important for you to guard the Emperor against his enemies, Sire, and your commander was correct not to fire on the single ship. Surely it was a decoy to smell out your strength. He was right not to give away your defenses. Now the trap is baited should you wish to close it. Because only one enemy warship sneaked back and bombarded some easy positions and left hastily, I surmise their fleet commander was afraid, was not prepared to attack or land troops to start the war that we will end.\"\n\n\"Yes, we will. A ruse? I agree. Yoshi-dono,\" Ogama said with finality, \"we should have done with it and start the war. A surprise attack on Yokohama, if they land at Osaka or not.\"\n\nYoshi could not answer at once, almost sick with a sudden apprehension that he tried to hide." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eight warships? That's four more than sailed to China, so the gai-jin have reinforced their fleet. Why?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "To retaliate for the Satsuma murders, but more particularly, Ogama's attacks on their shipping." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And they will do it as in China." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The gai-jin ship was sunk in the Taiwan Straits, but they decimated China's coast hundreds of leagues away." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is their easiest target in Nippon? Yedo.\n\nHas Ogama realized this and his secret plan is just to provoke the gai-jin? If I were the gai-jin leader I would destroy Yedo. They do not know it but Yedo is indivisible from our Shōgunate. If Yedo ends, the Toranaga Shōgunate ends and then the Land of the Gods is open to rape.\n\nTherefore this will be prevented at all costs.\n\nThink! How to bottle the gai-jin, and Ogama, whose answer is to put our heads on their block—not his. \"I agree with your wise counselor, we should prepare to defend Osaka,\" he began, his stomach churning. Then his anxiety for the safety of Yedo bubbled over. \"Whether Osaka now or later, a war fleet has returned. Unless we are very careful war is inevitable.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Enough of being careful.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ogama leaned closer. \"I say whether there's landing at Osaka or not, we excise the boil on our balls and exterminate Yokohama. Now! If you will not, so sorry, I will.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "CONTINUE STORY SEGMENT. PARAMETERS: 1 sentence sentences, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. NOTE: PART OF LARGER NARRATIVE." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We passed the fleet two days back, Mr. Malcolm, Jamie,\" the clipper captain said genially, hiding his shock at the change in Malcolm, whom he had known since birth and had laughed and drunk with barely three months ago in Hong Kong—the drawn sallow features, strange haunted eyes, the sticks he needed to walk or even to stand with." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We were under full sail with a Force Six aft and going like the clappers, they were riding it leisurely, wise, for they surely wouldn't want to lose any of the coaling barges they towed.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His name was Sheeling and he had just come ashore from his ship, Dancing Cloud, her arrival unexpected." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was forty-two, a tall, bearded, weatherbeaten man, twenty-eight years with the Noble House." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We just saluted them and kept going.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tea, Captain?\" McFay asked, automatically pouring, knowing from long experience this was his preferred drink." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During a voyage he always drank it ladened with sugar and condensed milk, day or night." }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were in Malcolm's suite at the big table and, like the tai-pan, Jamie was hardly listening, his eyes also on the sealed mail pouch, embossed with the Noble House crest, under Sheeling's left arm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead of a left hand Sheeling had a hook." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When he was a midshipman on a voyage along the Yangtze River trading opium, pirates of the White Lotus fleet had surrounded their lorcha and in the fight his hand had been cut off." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterwards he had been commended for his gallantry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His beloved idol, Dirk Struan, had brought him back from the brink, then put him with the fleet's chief captain, Orlov the Hunchback, with orders to teach him all he knew." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ta',\" Sheeling said with a smile, and took a large swallow." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Excellent, Jamie! Of course I'd prefer a large whisky, as you know, but that'll have to wait until Honolulu—I plan to leave right smartly, just came t—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Honolulu?\" Struan and Jamie said, almost in the same breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was not a normal call for their clippers racing across the Pacific for San Francisco, then to hurry back again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's your cargo?\" Malcolm said, almost adding \"Uncle Sheeley,\" the name he had used in the good days of his youth." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The usual, tea and spices for 'Frisco, but I've orders to first deliver mail to our agents in Hawaii.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Mother's orders?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sheeling nodded and his grey eyes looked back at Malcolm pleasantly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had heard the undercurrent and knew part of the problem existing between mother and son—Malcolm's engagement and her opposition the private talk of Hong Kong—but was under strict instructions not to mention it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"How is business there, in Hawaii?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm asked, a new shaft of anxiety going through him. \"Did she say?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, Mrs. Struan just ordered me to stop there.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A gust rattled the office shutters." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They glanced out of the window." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the bay the three rake-masted clipper was at anchor, taking the swell prettily, her sails ready to be hoisted again, soon to hurtle seawards and ride the wild winds or good winds or bad, whatever that lay ahead." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The three men were filled like sails with pride and Sheeling felt warmed that he ruled such a queen of the sea." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He turned his attention back to Malcolm and absently scratched an itch on his neck with his hook." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I was ordered here for the same reason: mail!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He gave him the pouch." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"May I have a receipt, please?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Of course.\" Malcolm nodded to Jamie who began to write it out." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's the latest from Hong Kong?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'd say most would be in the pouch, but I've brought the latest papers, both Hong Kong's and London's—I left the bundle in your office downstairs.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sheeling gulped the tea, anxious to be on his way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This would be his fourth Hawaiian visit over the years and he knew the beauty of their girls and their rare, joy-filled loving nature, money hardly a consideration, so unlike Hong Kong, Shanghai or anywhere else he had ever been." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time I'll buy some land, secretly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Different name. It's Hawaii for me next year when I retire, that's where I'm going and no one any the wiser." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The thought of sailing off for good, of leaving his wife, an accomplished nag, and rapacious children in London, Daddy buy me this, Daddy buy me that—not that he saw them often—pleased him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I meant local news in Hong Kong,\" Struan was saying." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh. Well, first your family's in fine fettle—Mrs. Struan, your brother and sisters—though young Duncan had another bad cold when I left. As to Hong Kong, the races are as good as ever, so's the food, Mrs. Fortheringill's is still booming in spite of a recession, the Noble House stays on course as you'd know better than me, along with the usual rumors that all's not well, probably spread by the Brocks, but that's just more of the usual and never changes.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got up. \"Thank you kindly, I best be going, must catch the tide.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Won't you at least stay for lunch?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, thanks, I'd better be off an—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What rumors?\" Malcolm said harshly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Nothing worth repeating, Mr. Malcolm.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Why don't you call me tai-pan like everyone else?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm said irritably, fear of what might be in the pouch eating him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I am, aren't I?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sheeling's expression did not change, he liked him and admired him and was sorry for the burden he now carried." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, you are, and you're right, it's time I stopped 'Mr. Malcolm.' But, begging your pardon, your father said exactly the same to me after he became tai-pan, a few days after the typhoon killed the... killed the tai-pan, Mr. Dirk. As you know he was very special to me, and I asked my captain, Captain Orlov, if I could talk to Mr. Culum and he said it was all right. So I said to your father that I'd always called Mr. Dirk tai-pan and as a special favor, could I just call him sir, or Mr. Struan. He said I could. It was a special favor. Could th—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm told Captain Orlov called my father tai-pan, and my grandfather was just as special to him, perhaps more so.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That's true,\" the Captain said, standing straight." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"When Captain Orlov disappeared, your father put me in charge of the fleet. I've served your father with all my heart, as I will you, and your son if I live that long. As a special favor, please, could it be the same as with your father?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sheeling was more than valuable to the Noble House." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All three men knew it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And his inflexibility. Malcolm nodded, hurt even so." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Have a safe voyage, Captain.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thank you, sir. And... and good luck, Mr. Struan, in everything. And you, Jamie.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "As he strode for the door Malcolm broke the first seal on the pouch, but before the Captain touched the handle, the door opened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angelique stood there. Bonnet, navy blue dress, gloves, and parasol." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All three men caught their breath at her radiance." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, sorry, chéri, I didn't know you were busy...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's all right, come in.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm had clambered to his feet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"May I present Captain Sheeling, of Dancing Cloud.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"La, Monsieur, what a gorgeous ship, how lucky you are.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, yes, I am, Miss. Thank you,\" Sheeling said, smiling back." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By God, he thought, never having seen her before, who could blame Malcolm?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"'Morning, Miss.\" He saluted and left, not wishing to leave now, not for a little while." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry to interrupt, Malcolm, but you said to collect you for lunch, it's to be with Sir William—and you haven't forgotten I have a piano lesson this afternoon with André and I've arranged for us to have our daguerreotype taken at five. Hello, Jamie!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Our picture?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, you remember the funny Italian who arrived on the last mail ship from Hong Kong for a season, he makes them, he guarantees we will look very handsome!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Most of Malcolm's concern had left him and he felt all of her presence, doting on her, even though he had seen her an hour ago—coffee in his suite at eleven, a habit she had instituted and he enjoyed immensely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over the last two or three weeks her loving disposition seemed to him to have blossomed even more though she spent much of her time riding, or at archery, or piano lessons, or planning soirees, and at her journal and letter writing—a way of life for all of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But every moment she was with him she was as attentive and tender as any woman could be." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His love and his need for her grew daily, overwhelming him with its power." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Lunch is at one, darling, it's just after twelve,\" he said, and as much as he didn't want her to leave added, \"Will you give us a few minutes?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of course.\" With her grace, she seemed to dance over to him and kissed him and went to her suite next door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her perfume lingered as a delicious memory." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His fingers trembled, breaking the last seal." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside were three letters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two from his mother, one for him, one for Jamie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The third letter was from Gordon Chen, their compradore and his uncle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Here,\" he said, handing Jamie his letter, his heart beating furiously, wishing that Sheeling had not arrived." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His two letters were burning his fingers." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll leave you to it,\" Jamie said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No. Bad news needs company.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm looked up. \"Open yours.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie obeyed and read rapidly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His face became red." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Is it private, Jamie?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It says: 'Dear Jamie'—that's the first time she's used the old way of writing me for a long time—'you may show this to my son, if you wish. I'm sending Albert MacStruan as soon as I can arrange it from our Shanghai office. You are to make him your deputy and teach him all you can about our entire Japanese operation, so that, unless two things happen, he can adequately take over from you when you leave Struan's. The first is that my son is in Hong Kong by Christmas. The second is that you accompany him.'\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie stared at him helplessly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's it. Just a signature.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That's not it,\" Malcolm said, his own face hot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"As soon as Albert arrives he can bloody go back.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No harm in him staying a few days and letting him look over the place. He's a good fellow.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Mother's... I never thought she could be so cruel: if I don't obey and kowtow, you get fired. Eh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm's eyes strayed to his bureau." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the last few weeks he had made the immense effort to restrict his intake to once a day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some days he had failed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Laudanum in moderation, Malcolm,\" Dr. Babcott had said, \"is a panacea for pain.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had insisted that Malcolm show him the medicine, not to take it away, just to check its contents." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"This is fairly strong. Remember, it's not a cure and with some people it is addictive.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not with me. I need it for the pain. You stop the pain and I'll stop the medicine.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sorry, my friend, wish I could. Your internal organs were badly damaged, not too badly, thank God, but even so will take time to heal.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too much time, Malcolm was thinking." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it worse than Babcott will admit?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked at his two letters, reluctant to open them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Filthy of her to use Jamie as another cudgel. \"Rotten.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She has certain rights,\" Jamie said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She's not tai-pan, I am. Father's will was clear.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm's voice was dull, his thoughts untidy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Guess old Uncle Sheeley was right, you have to earn that title, don't you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You're tai-pan.\" It was said kindly though Jamie knew it was not true." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Strange he should bring up Orlov, haven't thought about him in years. Wonder what happened to him.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes,\" Malcolm said absently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Poor fellow was a marked man after he blew Wu Sung Choi's Number One Son out of the water. Orlov was stupid to go ashore alone in Macao. He must have been snatched by the White Lotus pirates. Macao's a deadly place, easy to go into China, and everywhere the White Lotus has spies. I'd hate to be on their marked list...\" His voice trailed away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked down at the letters, lost in thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie waited. Then he said, \"Give me a shout if I can help. I'll be going through the rest of the mail.\" He left." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm did not hear the door close." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was the \"I love you\" postscript to his mother's letter, so no secret message:" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My dearest but prodigal son, I had planned to arrive with Dancing Cloud but decided against it at the last minute as Duncan was poorly and has the croup again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps what I have to say is better in writing then there can be no mistake." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'about' appears 3 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I've received yr ill-advised letters about what you will and will not do, about yr \"engagement,\" Jamie McFay, Miss Richaud, etc.—and about the five thousand rifles." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I immediately wrote and cancelled the extravagant order." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The time has come for open decisions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since you are not here and will not do as I ask, I will make them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For yr private knowledge it is my right to do so." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When yr father was dying, poor man, there was no time to wait for yr return so, almost with his last breath, he made me de facto tai-pan according to all the provisions in Dirk's Will and Legacy—some of them terrible—all of which have to be accepted, before God, sight unseen and must be kept secret from tai-pan to tai-pan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the time it was our expectation that I would pass the mantle to you on yr immediate return." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of Dirk's Laws lays down: It is the duty of the tai-pan to swear absolute belief in the integrity of his successor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cannot do this for you at the moment." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All this, and the following, is again for yr private knowledge—it would hurt Struan's for it to be made public, so destroy the letter after reading it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By today's mail to Scotland, I have offered the post of tai-pan to yr cousin Lochlin Struan, Uncle Robb's son, with four provisos: first that he comes at once to Hong Kong and spends three months in training here—as you know he is well versed in our company operations, better than you as far as Great Britain is concerned, though you are far and away better fitted and better trained; second, he agrees to keep this all secret; third, at the end of the trial period, before God, I will make the final choice between the two of you, my decision of course to be binding; fourth, that if you come to yr senses, he agrees that I must choose you but he will be next, should you fail to have sons, Duncan to be after him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Coming to yr senses, my son, means returning to Hong Kong at once, the very latest by Christmas Day, alone but for Jamie McFay (and Dr. Hoag, should you wish to have his company) to discuss yr future plans, to take up pressing duties and prepare for the position you have trained all yr life for." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should you prove to be satisfactory, I will make you tai-pan on yr twenty-first birthday, May 21st." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have shown this to Gordon Chen and asked him to comment where necessary—our compradore must, MUST, by Dirk's Law, be a party to the handing over of power." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yr devoted mother. P.S." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I love you and an added P.P.S." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ": Thank you for your news from Parliament about more of their usual stupidity (via the curious channel of our archenemy Greyforth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Beware of him, he's up to no good, but then you know that better than I)." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, we had heard the rumors, the Governor still denies any knowledge." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had already written to our Parliamentarians on the first rumor telling them to stop the nonsense if it was true, and to Bengal forewarning them." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In response to your letter I have written again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It really is time you came home to apply yrself to your duty and our mounting problems." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Duty!\" Malcolm shouted at the wall, balled the letter and hurled it at it, hurting himself with his violence." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stumbled to his feet, lurched to his bureau." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The little bottle contained his evening dose." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He drained it, smashed it on the oak top cursing, and almost fell as he groped to his chair." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"She can't! Can't! That... that bitch can't do that... can't! 'Go back alone' only means without Angel 'to discuss'... I won't and she won't interfere...\" and he continued to half think and half speak imprecations until the opiate entered his bloodstream and began its deadly solace." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In time he noticed the other letter from Compradore Gordon Chen—his father's stepbrother, one of many illegitimate children sired by Dirk Struan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Three that we know about,\" he said aloud." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My dear, dear nephew: I've already written how sorry I was about your bad joss, the wounds and accident." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm even more sorry to hear there is an estrangement between you and your mother that promises to become dangerous and could disrupt our Noble House—therefore it is my duty to comment and advise." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She showed me her letter to you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have not shown mine to her, nor will I." }, { "from": "human", "value": "In mine I will confine myself only to the position of tai-pan, other than to give you my very private advice about the girl: be Chinese." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Facts: though you are formally my stepbrother's heir, your mother correctly says you have not undergone the obligatory ceremony, attestations, oaths and signatures laid down in my Honorable Father's Will and Legacy that are necessary before you can be tai-pan, which, to be valid, must be witnessed personally and attested to in writing as properly executed by the current compradore, who must be of my branch of the House of Chen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only then is the chosen one the tai-pan." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before your father died he did in fact appoint your mother tai-pan." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was correctly done in all details." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I witnessed it. She is tai-pan legally and has power over the Noble House." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is true that your father and mother expected the position to be passed over to you quickly, but she is also correct that one of the tai-pan's obligations is to attest before God to the integrity of his successor, and also true the Noble House is governed only by what the tai-pan, he or she, decides, particularly the choice and timing of any succession." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My only advice is: be wise, swallow your pride, return at once, kowtow, kowtow and kowtow, accept a \"trial\" period, become again a dutiful son, honoring your ancestors, for the good of the House." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obey the tai-pan. Be Chinese." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm Struan stared at the letter, his future in ruins, past in ruins, everything changed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "So she is tai-pan!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mother is! If Uncle Gordon says it then it's true!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She's cheated me out of my birthright, she has, my Mother has." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But isn't that really what she's wanted all these years?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Didn't she always cajole, beg, whine, plot, do whatever was necessary to dominate father, me and all of us?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her maddening family prayers every day and church twice on Sunday, us trailing along when once on Sundays is more than enough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And drinking! \"Drunkenness is an abomination\" and quoting the Bible all day long to the point of insanity, no fun in our lives, Lent observed to the letter, fasting, forever carping on the brilliance of Dirk Struan, God curse him, always saying how terrible to have died so young—never bringing up that he died in the typhoon with his Chinese mistress in his arms, a fact that was and still is the scandal of Asia—always sermonizing on the evils of the flesh, Father's weakness, the death of my sister and the twins..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly he sat up solidly in his high-back chair. Insanity? That's it!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "he thought." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Could I put her in an insane asylum? Maybe she is." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would Uncle Gordon help me to... Ayeeyah!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's me who's mad. It's me who's..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Malcolm! It's lunchtime.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He looked up and saw himself talking to Angelique, saying how pretty she was but would she mind very much going without him as a few serious things had to be decided, letters to be written—no, nothing that affected her, no really, just a few business problems—all the time remembering \"return alone\" and \"kowtow, she's tai-pan.\" \"Please, Angelique.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Of course, if that's what you want, but you're sure you're all right, my love? You don't have a fever, do you?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He allowed her to feel his forehead and caught her hand and pulled her into his lap and kissed her and she kissed him back and laughed gaily and straightened her bodice saying she would be back after her piano lesson and not to worry and for the picture he must wear his evening clothes and, oh, you'll be so impressed with my new ball gown." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then he was alone with his thoughts again, the same words grinding his brain: \"return alone... she's tai-pan.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How dare she cancel the order for rifles—what does she know about this market?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tai-pan legally. So she really does rule the roost, and me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Certainly until I'm twenty-one and ever afterwards. Until she's not." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Until..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah, is that the key?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that what Uncle Gordon meant when he wrote: be Chinese." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Be Chinese how? Just be patient?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How would a Chinese handle my whole predicament?\n\nJust before he went into his special sleep, he smiled." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "keep the story goin for two sentences more. historical fiction, Japan genre, James Clavell style. characters might be from earlier chapters" }, { "from": "human", "value": "As it was Saturday and a pleasant afternoon a football match had been arranged on the bluff." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Most of the Settlement was watching and with the usual fights and hysteria, on and off the pitch, when one side or the other scored a goal, Army versus Navy, fifty men per side. The score was Navy 1, Army 2, and the first half not yet over." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hacking permitted, brawling permitted, almost everything permitted and the only purpose to force the ball through the opposing posts." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angelique, seated on the halfway line with Sir William and the General, was surrounded by the rest of his lunch guests—Seratard and other Ministers, André and Phillip Tyrer—who had decided to come en masse to watch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crowding them and vying for her attention were British and French officers, Settry Pallidar and Marlowe, the only British naval officer, amongst them—Jamie nearby." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she had hurried back to Malcolm to tell him she was cancelling her piano lesson, which was another excuse not to have to sit with him, and to ask him if he would like to go to the game, he was still asleep. So she had asked Jamie to escort her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, best to let him sleep—I'll leave him a note,\" Jamie had said, welcoming any excuse to distract him from looming disaster. \"Pity he won't see the match—Malcolm was a sports enthusiast, as you know, a grand swimmer, a fine cricketer as well, tennis of course. Sad that he's, well, not his old self.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She could see that he was as gloomy as Malcolm but that did not matter, she thought, men were generally serious and she was pleased to have company as a foil against the others." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since the great day when that which was growing had ceased to be, and her health and vigor had returned, better than ever, she had found it unwise to be alone with any of them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except André. To her delight he had changed, no longer threatening or referring to the help he had given her, all of it she would like to forget, no longer looking at her with rough and heavy-lidded eyes, too easy to read the cruelty behind them, though sure the cruelty still lurked within him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Important to keep him friendly, she thought, aware how vulnerable she was. Listen but beware. Some of what he says is good: \"Forget what happened before, it never happened.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "André's right. Nothing happened." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing, except he's dead. I really do love Malcolm, I'll bear him sons and be the perfect wife and hostess and our salon in Paris will be..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A roar distracted her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A mob of Navy players had forced the ball between the Army posts but the Army fought the ball away and now a general riot began, the Navy claiming a goal, the Army disputing it." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dozens of seamen swarmed onto the pitch to join the melee, then soldiers and soon there was a free-for-all, traders and others cheering and laughing and enjoying the spectacle, the referee, Lunkchurch, desperately trying to stay out of the fight and, meanwhile, get some order back on the field." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, look... that poor fellow's being kicked to death!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nothing to worry about, Angelique, just horseplay, clearly it wasn't a goal,\" the General said confidently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The man was Navy, so of little concern. Sir William, on the other side of her, was as excited as any, nothing like a good brawl to lighten the spirits." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nonetheless, conscious of Angelique, he leaned over to the General. \"Think we should get on with the game, Thomas, eh?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Quite right.\" The General motioned to Pallidar. \"Break it up, if you please—reason with them.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pallidar of the Dragoons went onto the pitch, took out his revolver and fired a salvo into the air. Everyone froze. \"Listen, you lot,\" he called out, all eyes on him now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Everyone off the pitch except the players. The General's order: another riot and the match is cancelled and those involved will be disciplined. Move!\" The field began to clear, many hobbling, the injured dragged off by supporters." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now, Mr. Referee, was it a goal or not?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Well, Captain, yes and no, you see...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Was it or not?\"\n\nThe silence was strong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lunkchurch knew whatever he said was going to be wrong." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He decided the truth was best: \"A goal for the Navy!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Amid cheers and countercheers, threats and counterthreats, Pallidar walked back, tall and very pleased with himself. \"Oh, Settry, what bravery!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Angelique spoke with such appreciation that Marlowe and others were riven with jealousy. \"Good work, old boy,\" Marlowe said reluctantly as the game—the fight—began in earnest to cheers drowned by the boos and curses." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Jolly good game, Thomas, what?\" Sir William said.\n\n\"Clearly that wasn't a goal, the Referee's a—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Poppycock! Five guineas says the Navy will win.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The General's neck had gone a darker shade of red and this pleased Sir William and helped to get him out of his ill humor. Nothing but quarrels in the Settlement and Drunk Town, irritating letters and complaints from the Bakufu and Customs House, and he had not forgotten the General's stupidity at the riot." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Added to these woes, the last mails had brought more foul news and forecasts from the Foreign Office that lack of financial support in Parliament would herald major cutbacks of Diplomatic personnel: \"even though the coffers of the Empire are overflowing, there will be no salary increases this year. The American war promises to be the most savage in history because of the newly invented shell, bronze cartridge, breech-loading rifle, machine gun and breech-loading cannon; with the defeat of Union forces at Shiloh and the Second Battle of Bull Run the war is presently expected to be won by the Confederates, most pundits in the City having written off President Lincoln as weak and ineffectual, but, dear Willie, H.M.'s policy remains the same: to back both sides, keep our heads down and stay to hell out of this one...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "European news was also bad: Russian Cossack troops had again massacred thousands of Poles in Warsaw demonstrating against Russian rule; Prince von Bismarck had been made Minister President of Prussia and was rumored to be preparing for war against expansionist France; Austria-Hungary and Russia appeared to be on the verge of war again; inevitably more fighting in the Balkans..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so on, ad nauseam, Sir William thought with a scowl. Nothing changes! And I'm damned if I believe the Bakufu will do what they've promised, which means I will have to show the Flag here." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'll have to teach the Japanners that a promise is a promise if it's made to the British Raj, by God, and to remind Zergeyev, Seratard and others the same thing." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bombard Yedo would be the simplest and easiest solution, that'd bring them to heel quick enough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then there's Ketterer—perhaps his foray into history books will have changed him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh! What a hope...\n\n\"A ruble for your thoughts, Sir William,\" Count Zergeyev said with a smile, offering a silver flask embossed with his family crest in gold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Vodka is good for thoughts.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Thanks.\" Sir William took a swallow and felt the fire slide down his gullet, reminding him of all the wonderful times at the Embassy in St. Petersburg when he was in his twenties, a center of power, not an outpost like Yokohama, drinking and carousing, balls and ballet and dachas, night life and luxury—for the few—excitement and intrigues and marvelous dinners and Vertinskya, never far from his thoughts.\n\nFor five of his seven years there she had been his mistress, youngest daughter of a favored goldsmith to the Court, an artist like her father, her father benign about their liaison, William's own Russian mother doting on the girl and wanting him to marry her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sorry, Mama dear, no chance of that at all, much as I'd like it, the Service would never approve. It's Sir Roger's daughter Daphne. Sorry...\"\n\nHe drank again, the misery of their parting still with him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I was thinking about Vertinskya,\" he said in Russian.\n\n\"Ah! Yes, the girls of Mother Russia are very special,\" Zergeyev replied compassionately in the same language." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Their love, if you are so blessed, is forever and then forever again.\" The affair had been smiled at in diplomatic circles and well documented by the Cheka, the Tsar's secret police, therefore part of Sir William's dossier that of course Zergeyev had read." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stupid of the girl to kill herself, he thought, never quite sure if William was aware of her suicide shortly after he had returned to London." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was never part of the plan, nor his duty to tell him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why did she do it?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over this boor? Surely that's not possible, but for whatever reason, a pity, her usefulness, to both of us, would have lasted for many more years. \"Perhaps your Foreign Office will post you there again—there are other Vertinskyas.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not much chance of that, I'm afraid.\"\n\n\"Let's hope. Another hope, mon ami, that your Lord Palmerston will see the logic that we should have the Kuriles. Like the Dardanelles—both should surely be Russian.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William saw the glitter in his strange sloe eyes." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Not much chance of that, I'm afraid.\"\n\nThe halftime whistle sounded, the score still two all, to be swallowed by a roar of recriminations and praises and promises of dire punishment for the losers." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At once Marlowe moved over to Jamie. \"Do you think Mr. Struan and, er, and Miss Angelique would like to join me aboard Pearl for tiffin and a day's sail?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he asked, simulating a sudden thought. \"Have to do some trials soon as the fleet's back and I'd be glad to have them aboard.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I think they'd enjoy it, why don't you ask him?\"\n\n\"When would be a good time?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should contain the word 'thanks' precisely 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Any day around eleven—or just before dinner.\"\n\n\"Thanks, thanks very much.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Marlowe beamed, then noticed Jamie's pallor." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh, are you all right?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, thanks.\" Jamie forced a smile and moved away.\n\nHe had been considering his future." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some weeks ago he had written to Maureen Ross, his fiancée, in Scotland, telling her to wait no longer for him—almost three years since he had last seen her, five years engaged—that he was sorry, he knew he had been abominable to keep her waiting so long but he was absolutely, finally convinced the East was positively no place for a lady, and equally certain Asia was his home, Yokohama, Hong Kong, Shanghai, anywhere but there, and he had no intention of leaving." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, he knew he had been unfair to her but their engagement was at an end. This was to be his last letter." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For days he had felt nauseated, before he wrote it, after having written it and after he had seen the mail ship put to sea." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But he was sure." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That chapter was ended. And now the Struan chapter that was so rosy, promotion next year for certain, will also end." }, { "from": "human", "value": "God Almighty! No way Malcolm will go back, so I've only a few more weeks to decide what to do—and don't forget Norbert will be back before then. Then what?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will they really duel? If they do that's joss, but you've still got to protect Malcolm as best you can." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So a new job! Where? I'd like to stay here, there's Nemi, it's a good life with a wide-open future to build." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hong Kong and Shanghai are mostly built, the old-boy structure strong in place—great if you're a Struan or Brock or Cooper and so on but difficult to break through.\n\nFirst choice would be here." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With whom? With Dmitri in Cooper-Tillman? Could they use me?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, but not as top man. Brock's?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, yes, I considered that in the depths of her unfairness, but no chance of top man with Norbert—but if Malcolm killed him what a coup that would be, what revenge! Lunkchurch?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, definitely, but who'd want to work for that uncouth bugger? What about on your own?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That'd be best, but the riskiest and who'd sponsor you? I'd need money—I've some put away but not enough." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'd need lots to begin, lots to cover the time agrowing, for letters of credit and insurances, time to arrange agents in London, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Shanghai and all over Asia, Paris—and St. Petersburg." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Don't forget Russians are huge buyers of tea and will trade sables and other furs to great profit and there are all your contacts in Russian Alaska, and their trading posts on the American west coast south. A good idea but risky, such a long time between buying and selling and profit, too many hazards for the ships, too many lost at sea or to piracy..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A little farther away Phillip Tyrer was also staring into the distance. He was thinking about Fujiko and almost groaned aloud." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yesterday evening, with his friend Nakama—Hiraga—to help him, he had tried to begin negotiations for her exclusivity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mama-san Raiko's eyes had soared and she shook her head, saying, Oh, so sorry, I doubt if it is possible, the girl so valuable and wanted by so many important gai-jin, important gai-jin, implying that even Sir William was an occasional client though never mentioning him by name, which had unsettled Tyrer and made him even more anxious.\n\nRaiko said that, even before discussing financial and other details, first she would ask Fujiko if she would consider it, adding to his shock that it would be best for him not to see her again until and unless a contract had been agreed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had taken him another hour to reach a compromise that Nakama had suggested: in the interim period, when seeing Fujiko, he would never mention the matter or discuss it directly with her, that was the mama-san's responsibility.\n\nThank God for Nakama, he told himself in another sweat, I nearly messed up everything. But for him..." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His eyes focused and he saw Seratard and André Poncin deep in private conversation, and not far away from them, Erlicher, the Swiss Minister, was equally private with Johann, who was concentrating on every word.\n\nWhat's so important and urgent to those men, he asked himself, that they would discuss it at a football match, reminding himself not to daydream, to be adult and aware that all was not well in Japan, to do his duty to the Crown and Sir William—Fujiko could wait until tonight when he might get an answer." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga was in the Legation reading a letter aloud that Tyrer had written for Sir William which he had helped translate, that was to be delivered tomorrow to the Bakufu." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"You've an aptitude for English, Nakama, old boy,\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though he did not understand many of the words his reading was improving rapidly: \"You've an aptitude for English, Nakama, old boy,\" Tyrer had said several times. This had pleased him, even though, normally, praise or criticism from a gai-jin was meaningless. Over the weeks most of his waking hours had been spent cramming words and phrases, repeating them over and over, so much so that the language of his dreams was mixed up.\n\n\"Why bash your head, Cousin?\" Akimoto asked him.\n\n\"I must learn English as quickly as possible. There is so little time, this gai-jin leader is rude and ill-tempered and I have no idea how long I can stay. But Akimoto, if I could read who knows what information I could get. You cannot believe how stupid they are about their secrets. Hundreds of books and pamphlets and documents lie around everywhere. I have access to everything, can read anything, and this Taira person answers my most obvious questions.\"\n\nThis was said last night in their safe house in the village and he had had a cold towel around his aching head. He was no longer confined to the Legation. Now he could stay in the village if he wanted to though many nights he was too tired to leave, and he would stay and sleep on a spare bunk in the cottage Tyrer shared with Babcott. Of necessity George Babcott had had to know about him. \"Marvelous! Nakama can help me with my Japanese too and my dictionary! Marvelous, I'll organize lessons and a cram course!\"\n\nBabcott's approach was quite radical. Learning was to be enjoyed and soon it had almost developed into a game, a hilarious game to see who could learn faster, an entirely new style for Hiraga and Tyrer, for whom schooling was serious, and education implanted by rote, repetition and the birch." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How fast the lessons go, Akimoto. It becomes easier every day—we shall do the same in our schools when sonno-joi is supreme.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akimoto laughed. \"Teachers gentle and kind? No bashing or stick? Never! More important, what about the frigate?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He had told Akimoto that Tyrer had promised he would ask a captain friend for permission to take the two of them aboard, explaining Akimoto as the son of a wealthy Choshu shipbuilding family, come to visit him for a few days, and a valuable friend in the future." }, { "from": "human", "value": "From the open window Hiraga heard cheering from the football match." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He sighed, then reverently picked up Babcott's handwritten dictionary." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the first dictionary he had ever seen, and the first English-Japanese, Japanese-English ever. Babcott had built on lists of words and phrases gathered by himself, traders and priests, both Catholic and Protestant, with others translated from Dutch-Japanese equivalents. At the moment the book was short. But daily it grew and it fascinated him.\n\nFolklore had it that, two centuries or so ago, a Jesuit priest called Tsukku-san had written out a form of Portuguese-Japanese dictionary. Before that no dictionary of any sort had ever existed. In time, a few Dutch-Japanese ones appeared, to be zealously guarded. \"No need to lock this up, Nakama,\" Babcott had said yesterday to his astonishment. \"That's not the British way. Spread the word, let everyone learn, the more educated everyone is the better the country.\" He had smiled. \"Of course, not everyone agrees with me. In any event, next week with the help of our printing presses, I'll—\"\n\n\"Printing press, so sorry?\"\n\nBabcott had explained. \"Soon we'll start printing and if you promise to write a history of Choshu I will promise to give you a copy of my dictionary for yourself alone.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "A week or so ago, in wonder, Hiraga had shown Akimoto a copy of the Yokohama Guardian." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is the news of the day, from all over the world, and they prepare a new version every day, as many copies as they like—thousands if necessary...\"\n\n\"Impossible!\" Akimoto said. \"Our best block printers can't poss—\"\n\n\"I've seen them do it! Machines do it, Akimoto. They showed me their machines! They set all the words in what they call type in lines, they read left to right, the opposite to us, right to left and down our columns of characters, column by column. Unbelievable. I saw the machine man make words out of individual symbols, called 'roman rett'rs'—they say that all words in any language can be written with only twenty-six of these symbols an—\"\n\n\"Impossible.\"\n\n\"Listen! Each rett'r or symbol always has the same sound so another person can read individual letters, or words made out of them. To make this 'newspaper,' the printer uses combinations of little pieces of iron with the symbol cut into the end of it—sorry, not iron but a kind of iron called 'stee'r,' some name like that. This man put the rett'rs in a box that somehow was inked, paper run over it and here was a new printed page that contained something I had written a moment ago. Taira read it out exactly! A miracle.\"\n\n\"Eeee, but how can we do that with our language, each word is a special character with as many as five or seven different ways of saying it and our writing's different an—\"\n\n\"The Doctor Giant listens when I say a Japanese word, he writes it down in their roman rett'rs then Taira says the word just by reading them!\"\n\nIt had taken Hiraga much more explanation to convince Akimoto. \"Eeee,\" he said, exhausted, \"so many new things, new ideas, so difficult for me to understand myself, let alone explain. Ori was such a fool not to want to learn.\"\n\n\"Good for us he's dead, buried and forgotten by the gai-jin. For days I thought we were lost.\"\n\n\"So did I.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga found the English word he sought, \"reparations.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Japanese translation was: \"money to be paid for an agreed crime.\" This puzzled him. The Bakufu had committed no crime. Two Satsumas, Ori and Shorin, had merely killed a gai-jin, both were now dead, two for the death of one gai-jin was certainly fair. Why should they demand \"re-par-at-eeons,\" he said aloud, the nearest his tongue could get to the word.\n\nHe got up from the desk to ease his knees, difficult to sit like a gai-jin all day long, and went to the window. He was wearing Western clothes but soft tabi on his feet, English boots still very uncomfortable for him. The day was still good, the ships at anchor, fishing boats and other vessels moving back and forth. The frigate beckoned. His excitement grew. Soon they would see into its bowels, see the great steam machines Taira had told him about. He caught sight of a reproduced photograph cut out of a magazine and stuck on the wall, of the Great Ship, an enormous iron ship being built in the British capital city, London, the biggest that had ever been, twenty times bigger than the frigate in the bay. Too enormous to conceive—even \"fo-to-gr-aff\" for him impossible to understand, eerie, almost a form of evil magic. He shuddered, then noticed the door to the corridor was ajar and across from it Sir William's door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As far as he knew there was no one in the Legation, everyone at the football match and not expected until later this afternoon.\n\nSoundlessly he opened Sir William's door. The elaborate desk had many papers on it, half a hundred books on untidy shelves, a portrait of their Queen and other paintings on the walls. Something new on a sideboard. A photograph in a silver frame. He saw only ugliness, a curiously dressed gai-jin woman with three children, and realized it must be Sir William's family. Tyrer had mentioned they were expected soon.\n\nHow lucky I am to be Japanese, and civilized, with a handsome father and mother and brothers and sisters and Sumomo to marry if it is my karma to marry. Thinking about her safe at home warmed him, but then, standing there in front of the desk, the good feeling quickly turned sour. He remembered all the sickening, uneasy times he had stood there before the seated gai-jin leader, answering questions about the Choshu, Satsuma, Bakufu, Toranagas, the questions inquiring into every aspect of his life and Nippon's life, now almost a daily occurrence, the fish eyes scouring the truth out of him, much as he would have preferred to lie and confuse.\n\nHe was careful not to touch anything, presuming a trap had been laid for him as he would certainly have done if he had left a gai-jin alone in such an important place. His ears caught an angry voice outside and he scurried back to peer out of Tyrer's window." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing buddy needed! ten sentences more. match character knowledge. historical fiction, Japan pls" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The shoya motioned Hiraga to sit on the other side of the low table. These private quarters, behind his deliberately drab and untidy shop, were spotless, the tatami and shoji window papers the best quality. The tabby cat sat comfortably in his lap, her eyes malevolently fixed on the intruder. White-green porcelain teacups sat around a small iron teapot. \"Please, some tea, Otami-sama, so sorry to cause you inconvenience,\" he said, pouring and using the name Hiraga used, then stroked the cat. Her ears twitched nervously. \"Please excuse me for interrupting you.\"\n\nThe tea was aromatic and noteworthy. Hiraga mentioned it politely, feeling awkward in front of the shoya in his European clothes, difficult to sit in them, and uncomfortable without swords. After the customary courtesies, the shoya nodded, half to himself, and looked at his guest, eyes flinty in the mask of graciousness." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Some news has arrived from Kyōto. I thought you should have it at once.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga's disquiet increased. \"So?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It seems that ten shishi of Choshu, Satsuma and Tosa, attacked Shōgun Nobusada at Otsu. The assassination attempt failed and all were killed.\"\n\nHiraga pretended to be uninterested but he was sick inside. Which ten and why had they failed? \"When was this?\"\n\nThe shoya had seen nothing to indicate if Hiraga knew of the attack or not. \"Eight days ago.\"\n\n\"How could you possibly know in such a short time?\"\n\nTo his astonishment the shoya reached into his sleeve and brought out a tiny cylinder. Inside was a roll of very thin paper. \"This arrived today. Our Gyokoyama zaïbatsu has carrier pigeons for important news.\" It had actually arrived yesterday but he had needed time to decide how he was to deal with Hiraga. \"Important to have quick, accurate information, neh?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Were names mentioned?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, no names, so sorry.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Is that all your information?\"\n\nThe eyes glinted. To Hiraga's shock he added, \"The same night, in Kyōto, Lord Yoshi and Lord Ogama and their forces fell on the shishi headquarters, caught them unawares, destroyed it and them. Forty heads were spiked outside the wreckage.\" The older man kept the smile from his face. \"Otami-sama, would forty be a big percentage of our brave shishi?\"\n\nHiraga shrugged and said he did not know, hoping that the shoya could not tell if he lied. His head was hurting as he wondered who was dead, who survived, who had betrayed them, and how could it be that such enemies as Yoshi and Ogama were acting in concert? \"Why are you telling me all this?\"\n\nFor a moment the shoya looked down at the cat, his eyes softened and his fingers began scratching the center of her head and her eyes closed with pleasure, her claws moving in and out of their sheaths without menace. \"It seems that not all those ambushed were caught,\" he said quietly. \"Two escaped. The leader, sometimes called the Raven, his real name is Katsumata, the trusted advisor of Sanjiro of Satsuma, and a Choshu shishi called Takeda.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga was rocked to his core that so much could be known and his muscles coiled, ready to reach out and kill with his hands if need be." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'orders' appears 3 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His mouth opened but he said nothing.\n\n\"Would you know this Takeda, Otami-sama?\"\n\nAnger rushed through Hiraga at this impertinence, he felt his face flush but he held on to a measure of control. \"Why are you telling me this, shoya?\"\n\n\"My Gyokoyama overlord ordered it, Otami-sama.\"\n\n\"Why? What is all this to me? Eh?\"\n\nThe shoya, to calm his own nerves—though he had a small, loaded pistol in the pocket of his sleeve—poured some more tea for both of them, knowing this was a dangerous game and this shishi was no man to fool with. But orders were orders, and standing orders of the Gyokoyama zaibatsu were that anything unusual, in any of their hundred branches, must be reported instantly. Particularly the Yokohama branch, more important now than Nagasaki as it was the main gai-jin base, and so the main observation post on gai-jin—and he specially chosen for the senior post. Of necessity he had carrier-pigeoned news of this man's arrival, Ori's death, all subsequent events and the actions he himself had taken—all of which had been approved." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The Gyokoyama...\" he began, following instructions and using great care, for he could see Hiraga was seething and unnerved by the revelations, which was their purpose." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His overlords in Osaka had written: Put this shishi, whose real name is Rezan Hiraga, off balance quickly. Risks will be great. Be armed and talk to him when he is not...\n\n\"... my Masters thought that perhaps they could be of use to you, as you could be of great value to them.\"\n\n\"Use to me?\" Hiraga grated, ready to explode, his right hand nervously seeking the sword hilt that was not there. \"I can order no taxes. I have no koku. What use have I for parasites, that's what moneylenders are, what even the great Gyokoyama is! Neh?\"\n\n\"It is true that samurai believe it and have believed it forever. But we wonder if your Sensei Taira would agree.\"\n\n\"Eh?\" Again Hiraga was unbalanced and he stuttered, \"Wh-what about Taira? What about him?\"\n\n\"Maid! Saké!\" the shoya called out, then to Hiraga, \"I ask your patience but my superiors... I am an old man,\" he added humbly, with open self-deprecation, knowing his power in the zaibatsu was large, his yang still functioned perfectly, and if need be he could shoot this man or cripple him and hand him over to the Bakufu Enforcers who still guarded their gates. \"I am old and we live in dangerous times.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, you do,\" Hiraga said through his teeth." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The saké came quickly, the maid poured quickly and fled. Hiraga quaffed some and was glad of it though he feigned otherwise, accepted more and drained that too. \"So? Taira? You better make sense.\"\n\nThe shoya took a deep breath, launching himself on what he knew would be the biggest chance of his life, with vast implications for his zaibatsu and all his future generations: \"Ever since you have been here, Otami-sama, you have wondered and enquired how and why the Ing'erish gai-jin rule much of the world outside our shores when they are a small island nation, I understand smaller than ours...\" He stopped, amused by the sudden blank look on Hiraga's face. \"Ah, so sorry, but you must know you have been overheard talking to your friend who is now dead, and your cousin, so sorry. I can assure you your confidences are safe, your aims and Gyokoyama aims and shishi aims are the same. It could be important to you... We believe we know a major secret you seek.\"\n\n\"Eh?\"\n\n\"Yes, we believe the major secret is their moneylending, banking and financ—\"\n\nHe was drowned out as Hiraga was convulsed with a paroxysm of jeering laughter. The cat was torn from her tranquility and her claws dug through the shoya's kimono into his flesh. Gingerly he eased the claws out and began to soothe her, controlling his fury, wishing he could beat some sense into the insolent young man." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that would cost him his life eventually—there would be Akimoto to deal with, and other shishi." }, { "from": "system", "value": "DIRECTIVE: Incorporate \"You are mad. It's only their machines and cannon and wealth and ships.\" in response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Doggedly he waited, the task his overlords had given him fraught with hazards: \"Probe this young man, find out what his true aims are, true thoughts, true desires and allegiance, use him, he could be a perfect tool...\"\n\n\"You are mad. It's only their machines and cannon and wealth and ships.\"\n\n\"Exactly. If we had those, Hiraga-sama, we could...\" The instant he deliberately used the real name he saw all laughter vanish and the eyes focus, menacingly. \"My superiors told me to use your name only once, and then only so you would know we are to be trusted.\"\n\n\"How do they know?\"\n\n\"You mentioned the Shinsaku Otami account, the code name of your honored father, Toyo Hiraga. Of course this is written in their most private books of record.\"\n\nHiraga was filled with rage. It had never occurred to him that moneylenders would have private books, and as everyone, from the low to the highest, needed their services from time to time, moneylenders would have access to all kinds of private knowledge, recorded knowledge, dangerous knowledge that they could use as pressure or a cudgel to gain all kinds of other information they should not have—how could they possibly have found out about our shishi except by foul means—as this dog is daring to use on me! Rightfully merchants and moneylenders are despised and distrusted and should be stamped out. When sonno-joi's a fact, our first request to the Emperor should be an order for their destruction. \"So!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shoya was prepared, aware the thread between a sudden, berserk attack and sanity was stretched to breaking, shishi never to be trusted, one hand not far from his sleeve pocket." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He kept his voice soft, nevertheless there was no mistaking the threat, or promise: \"My superiors told me to tell you that your secrets and those of your father, honored clients, though recorded, are private, completely private... between us.\"\n\nHiraga sighed and sat back, the threat cleansing his head of useless anger, and he considered all that the shoya had told him, the threat—or the promise—and all the rest, the danger of the man himself, the Gyokoyama and their like, weighing his choice, his heritage and training in the balance.\n\nThe choice was simple: To kill or not to kill, to listen or not to listen. When he was very young his mother had said, \"Beware, my son, and remember seriously: to kill is easy, to unkill impossible.\"\n\nFor a moment his mind dwelt on her, always wise, always welcoming him, always with arms outstretched—even during the pains in her joints that were a way of life for her as long as he could remember, and twisted her a little worse every year. \"Very well, shoya, I will listen, once.\"\n\nIn his turn the shoya sighed, a major ravine straddled. He filled the cups. \"To sonno-joi and shishi!\"\n\nThey drank. He replenished the cups from time to time." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Otami-sama, please be patient with me but we believe we can have all that the gai-jin have. As you know, in Nippon rice is a currency, rice merchants are bankers, they lend money to farmers against future crops, to buy seeds and so on, without the money most years there would be no crops, therefore no taxes to collect; they lend to samurai and daimyos for their living against future pay, future koku, future taxes, without this money there is usually no living until there are crops to tax. Money makes any way of life possible. Money, in the form of gold, silver, rice or silk or even manure, money is the wheel of life, profit the grease of the wheel an—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Come to the point. The secret.\"\n\n\"Oh, so sorry, the point is that somehow, incredibly, gai-jin moneylenders, bankers—in their world it is an honorable profession—have found a way to finance all their industries, machines, ships, cannon, buildings, armies, anything and everything, profitably, without using real gold. There cannot be that amount of real gold in all the world. Somehow they can make vast loans using the promise of real gold, or pretend gold, and that alone makes them strong, and, seemingly, they do it without debasing their currency, as daimyos do.\"\n\n\"Pretend gold? What are you talking about? Be clearer!\"\n\nThe shoya wiped a bead of sweat off his lip, excited now, the saké helping his tongue, but more so because now he began to believe it was possible that this youth could solve the puzzle. \"Excuse me if I am complicated but we know what they do, but not yet know how they do it. Perhaps your Taira, this gai-jin fountain of information you so cleverly drain, perhaps he would know, could explain to you how they do it, the tricks, the secrets, then you can tell us and we can make Nippon as strong as five Englands. When you achieve sonno-joi, we and other moneylenders can join to finance all the ships and arms Nippon will ever need...\"\n\nCautiously, he elaborated on his theme, eloquently answering questions, guiding Hiraga, helping him, flattering him, judiciously plying him with saké and knowledge, impressed with his intelligence, over the hours snaring his imagination, and he continued until the sun was down.\n\n\"Money, eh? I will ad... admit, shoya,\" Hiraga said unsteadily, heavy with alcohol, his head bursting with so many new and unsettling ideas that conflicted with as many deep beliefs, \"admit money never inter... ested me. Never really... really understood money, only the lack.\" A belch almost choked him. \"I—I think I can see—yes, Taira will tell me.\" He tried to get up and failed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"First may I offer a bath, and I will send for the masseuse?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The shoya easily persuaded him, called for a servant to help and gave Hiraga over to strong though gentle hands—soon to be snoring and oblivious.\n\n\"Well done, Ichi-chan,\" his wife whispered when it was safe, beaming at him. \"You were perfect, neh?\"\n\nHe beamed back, also speaking softly, \"He is dangerous, always will be, but we begin, that's the important part.\"\n\nShe nodded, satisfied that he had taken her advice to send for Hiraga this afternoon, to be armed, and not to be afraid to use the threat. Both knew the risks, but then, she reminded herself, her heart still pounding from listening to the parry and thrust, this is an opportunity sent by the gods and gains are proportionate to risks. Eeee, she chortled to herself, with success we will be granted samurai status, our descendants will be samurai, and my Ichi will be a Gyokoyama overlord. \"You were so wise to say two and not three escapees and not to reveal what else we know.\"\n\n\"It is important to keep something in reserve. To further control him.\"\n\nShe patted her husband maternally and again told him how clever he was and did not remind him that this too had been her suggestion." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She let her mind drift a moment, still puzzled by the two shishi making for Yedo, thus surely risking capture or betrayal immeasurably." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 5 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: quietly, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And even more puzzling was why the girl Sumomo, Hiraga's samurai wife-to-be, had joined the household of Koiko, Yedo's most famous courtesan, now the pleasure person of Lord Yoshi. Very puzzling indeed.\n\nA vagrant thought blossomed. \"Ichi-chan,\" she said delicately, \"something you said earlier made me want to ask you: If these gai-jin are so clever and such magical bankers, would it not be wise for you to begin a careful venture with one of them, quietly, very quietly.\" She saw his eyes fix and the dawning of a seraphic smile. \"Toshi is nineteen, the cleverest of our sons, and could be the figurehead, neh?\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Norbert Greyforth came on deck of the mail ship just rounding the headland. She was from Hong Kong via Shanghai and now ahead was the Yokohama coastline. He was freshly shaven and wore a top hat and frock coat against the early morning chill and he saw the Captain and others on the bridge in front of the funnel with its plume of acrid smoke trailing aft, seamen preparing for port, sails furled on her three masts. On the fore-deck, behind locked grilles separating them completely from the rest of the ship, were steerage passengers, the flotsam of Asia, remittance men and riffraff, huddled under canvas shelters. Grilles were standard on passenger ships against piracies attempted from this area.\n\nThe wind was brisk and smelt good to him and tasted clean, not like below where the stench of oil and coal smoke and the throbbing, headache-making engine noise permeated the closeness. Asian Queen had been under power for hours, battling the head wind. Much as he loathed steamers, Norbert was pleased, otherwise they would have been many more days late. He bit the end off a cheroot, spat it overboard and cupped his hands, lighting it carefully.\n\nThe Settlement looked the same as ever. Samurai guard houses and Customs House, north and south, outside the fence and over small bridges, smoke from various chimneys, men walking the promenade, horsemen exercising their ponies on the racetrack, Drunk Town its usual mess with little of their fire and earthquake damage cleaned up, contrasting with the disciplined tent lines of the encampment on the bluff where soldiers were drilling, the odd bugle call wafting seawards." }, { "from": "human", "value": "As if peeping over the fence were the Yoshiwara roofs." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He felt a halfhearted stirring, nothing like normal for he was still satiated from carousing in Shanghai, the richest, raunchiest, wildest city in Asia, with the best racing, gambling, whoring, bars and European food anywhere." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never mind, he thought, I'll give Sako the bolt of silk and that'll make her toolie flutter and who knows?\n\nHis eyes passed the flagpoles of the various Legations, hardened as they saw the Struan Building, then centered on his own. During the three weeks he had been away he was pleased to see external repairs to the top floor had been completed, no sign of fire damage. He was too far away to recognize people going in and out of the buildings fronting High Street, then he caught a glimpse of a blue bonnet and hooped dress and parasol crossing to the French Legation. Only one like that, he thought. Angel Tits! It was as if he could smell the perfume surrounding her. Wonder if she knows about the duel.\n\nMorgan Brock had guffawed when he told them. \"Thee's my consent to blow his head or balls off. 'Stead of pistols, make it fighting irons and really earn thy bonus.\"\n\nTenders were already scurrying to meet the mail ship. Sourly, he noted that the Struan steam launch was waiting in the chop, first in line, Jamie McFay in the stern." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His oared launch second." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind, won't be long before your launch's mine, your building, with you and all the bloody Struans beached or dead, though maybe I'll give you a job, Jamie, maybe, just for amusement." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your response should naturally weave in this dialogue: \"I've been watching from the aft deck. Nothing like Shanghai, is it?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then he saw McFay put binoculars to his eyes and knew he would see him. He waved perfunctorily, spat over the side and went to his cabin below.\n\n\"'Morning, Mr. Greyforth, suh,\" Edward Gornt said with Southern charm. He stood at the door of the cabin opposite, a tall, though slight, good-looking young man from Virginia, twenty-seven, with deep-set brown eyes and brown hair. \"I've been watching from the aft deck. Nothing like Shanghai, is it?\"\n\n\"In more ways than you can think. Are you packed?\"\n\n\"Yes, suh, and ready to have at it.\" Apart from the slight roll to the \"suh\" his accent was faint, much more English than Southern.\n\n\"Good. Sir Morgan told me to give you this when we arrived.\" He took an envelope from his briefcase and handed it to him. The more he thought about his whole trip the more flabbergasted he became." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyler Brock had not come to Shanghai." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A curt note had greeted Greyforth instead, telling him to obey his son, Morgan, as though he was giving the orders. Sir Morgan Brock was a big-bellied, balding man, not as coarse as his father, but just as mean-tempered and bearded like him. Unlike him, he was London-trained in Threadneedle Street, center of the world's stock markets, and for all manner of international trade. As soon as Greyforth arrived Morgan had laid out his plan to break Struan's.\n\nIt was foolproof.\n\nFor a year he, his father and their associates on the board of the Victoria Bank of Hong Kong had been buying up Struan's debt paper. Now, with the whole board backing them, they only had to wait until the 30th of January to foreclose. There was no way Struan's could meet this deadline. On that date the bank would own Struan's, lock, stock and clipper ship, with Morgan cornering the Hawaiian sugar markets, cunningly excluding Struan's, who counted on their yearly profits from those markets to service their debts. He would make the killing certain. And another, even bigger coup: Morgan, with supreme cleverness, had bartered these crops forward to Union and Confederate importers for Union goods and Southern cotton for the huge British market that still, by law, could only be serviced by British ships—their ships." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It's a genius scheme, Sir Morgan, congratulations,\" Norbert said, awed, for it would make Brock's the wealthiest trading company in Asia, the Noble House, and guarantee his stipend of five thousand guineas a year." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must include the following in quotes somewhere in your response: You think he's experienced enough, Sir Morgan?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We be buying Struan's at ten pennies on the pound from the Bank, that be agreed, Norbert, their fleet, everything,\" Sir Morgan had said, his huge belly shaking with laughter. \"Thee's to retire soon, and we be very grateful for thy service. If all goes well in Yokohama, we be thinking of another five thousand a year as bonus. Look after young Edward and show him everything.\"\n\n\"To what end?\" he had asked, that vast amount of money every year swamping him.\n\n\"To any end I want,\" Sir Morgan had said curtly. \"But since thee asks, perhaps I be wanting him to take over Japan, take over thy job when thee goes, if he's worthy. Rothwell's be giving him a month's leave\"—this was Gornt's present employer, one of the oldest Shanghai companies and associates of Cooper-Tillman, the biggest American China trader, for whom he had been working for three years, and with whom Brock's, as well as Struan's, had extensive business relations—\"this be enough time for the lad to decide, perhaps he'll take over from thee, when thee retires.\"\n\n\"You think he's experienced enough, Sir Morgan?\"\n\n\"By the time thee leaves, make sure he is—that's thy job, teach him, toughen him. Don't break him, I don't want him scared off, broken—don't forget now!\"\n\n\"How much should I tell him?\"\n\nAfter thought, Sir Morgan said, \"Everything about our business in the Japans, the gunrunning plan and opium smuggling if them bastards in Parliament get their way. Tell him thy ideas on opening up the opium trade and busting any embargo if there be one, but nought about provoking Struan, or about our scheme to smash them. The lad knows about the Struans, no love lost on them at Rothwell's, he knows what scum they really be and the devilment old Dirk did, murdering my stepbrother and the like. He's a good lad, so tell him what thee will, but not about sugar!\"\n\n\"Just as you say, Sir Morgan. What about all the specie and paper I brought? I'll need replacements to pay for the guns, silks and this year's trade goods.\"\n\n\"I be sending it from Hong Kong, when I returns, and Norbert, it were right clever to shove Struan's out of the way with the Jappo prospecting offer—if that pays dirt, thee will share in't. As to Edward, after the month send him to Hong Kong with a confidential report to the Old Man. I like the lad, he be highly thought of in Shanghai and by Rothwell's—and the son of an old friend.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Norbert had wondered about \"what\" old friend, and about the debt Sir Morgan owed the man to take so much trouble, unusual for him to be kind to anyone." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But he was too shrewd to ask and kept his own counsel, happy that the problem of staying in Brock's good favor would not concern him much longer.\n\nEdward Gornt proved to be pleasant enough, reticent, a good listener, more English than American, intelligent, and, rare in Asia, a nondrinker. Greyforth's immediate assessment had been that Gornt was totally un-suited to the rough, adventurous, hard-drinking China trade—a lightweight in everything, except at cards. Gornt was an exceptional bridge player and lucky at poker, a major virtue in Asia, but even this was academic for he never played for high stakes.\n\nHe was convinced that Edward Gornt would not suit the Brocks for long, and nothing on the voyage back had made him change his mind. From time to time he had seen a strangeness behind the eyes. The bugger's just wishywashy, out of his depth and knows it, he thought, watching him reading Morgan's letter. Never mind, if anyone can make him grow up I can.\n\nGornt folded the letter, pocketed it and the sheaf of money the envelope had contained. \"Sir Morgan's so generous, isn't he?\" he said with a smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I never thought he'd... I can't wait to begin, to learn... I like work and action and I'll do my best to please you, but I'm still not sure if I should leave Rothwell's and... well, I never thought he would ever consider I would maybe be good enough to head Brock's in Japan if or when you retire. Never.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Sir Morgan's a tough master, difficult to please, like our tai-pan, but straight if you do what you're told. A month will be enough. Can you handle a gun?\"\n\n\"Oh, yes.\"\n\nThe sudden directness surprised him. \"What kinds?\"\n\n\"Handguns, rifles, shotguns.\" Again the smile. \"I've never killed anyone, Indians or the like, but I was second in the Richmond skeet-shoot four years ago.\" A shadow went over him. \"That was the year I went to London to join Brock's.\"\n\n\"You didn't want to leave? Didn't like London?\"\n\n\"No, and yes. My mother had died and—and my father, he thought it best I should be out in the world, London being the Center of the World, so to speak. London was grand. Sir Morgan very kind. Kindest man I know.\"\n\nNorbert waited but Gornt volunteered nothing more, lost in his own thoughts. Sir Morgan had only told him Gornt had spent a satisfactory year with Brock's in London, with Tyler Brock's last and youngest son, Tom." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Make sure to use 'feeling' 2 time(s) throughout your message" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Man wan' see tai-pan, heya?\" Ah Tok said.\n\n\"Ayeeyah, speak civilized, Mother, and not gibberish,\" Malcolm told her in Cantonese. He stood at his office window, binoculars in his hand, and had been watching the mail ship unloading passengers. He had seen Norbert Greyforth and now he was feeling very good. \"What man?\"\n\n\"The foreign devil bonze you sent for, the foul-smelling bonze,\" she mumbled. \"Your old mother is working too hard and her son won't listen! We should be going home.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah, I've told you not to mention going home,\" he told her sharply. \"Do that once more and I'll pack you off on the next dirty little lorcha where you'll puke your heart out if you have one, and at the very least the God of the Sea will swallow you up! Send the foreign devil in.\" A smile crossed his face and some of his good feeling returned." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She went off grumbling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For days she had been harping on a return to Hong Kong, as much as he told her not to. So much so, he was sure she had had orders from Gordon Chen to harass him into obeying.\n\n\"By God, I won't until I'm ready.\" He hobbled back to his desk, glad that his score with Norbert would soon be settled and his whole glorious plan put into effect. \"Ah, 'morning, Reverend Tweet, kind of you to be prompt. Sherry?\"\n\n\"Thank you, Mr., er, Tai-pan, bless you.\"\n\nThe sherry went in a nervous gulp though Struan had deliberately chosen a big glass. \"Admirable, er, Tai-pan. Ah yes, thanks, I'll have another small one, bless you.\" The untidy sack of a man settled with an uneasy smile in the tall chair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tobacco stained his beard." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Find a natural way to mention that It's about myself and Miss Angelique. I want you to marry us. Next week." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What can I do for you?\"\n\n\"It's about myself and Miss Angelique. I want you to marry us. Next week.\"\n\n\"Eh?\" The Reverend Michaelmas Tweet almost dropped his glass. \"Impossible,\" he stuttered, his false teeth chattering.\n\n\"No, it isn't. There's lot of precedent for condensing the banns that have to be read out on three succeeding Sundays in church into one Sunday only.\"\n\n\"But I can't... you're a minor and so is she, and worse, she's Catholic and there's no possible way... I can't.\"\n\n\"Oh, but you can.\" Confidently he parroted what Heatherly Skye, nicknamed \"Heavenly,\" the only lawyer in Yokohama as well as coroner and insurance agent, had told him. \"The fact that I'm a minor applies only in the United Kingdom, not in the colonies or abroad, and only when the father is alive. That she's Catholic doesn't matter if it doesn't matter to me. That ends that. Tuesday the 9th is an auspicious day to be married on. We keep everything quiet until then and that's when it will be.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "To Malcolm's amusement Michaelmas Tweet's mouth opened and closed like a fish but no sound came out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shakily, the clergyman groped to his feet, poured another sherry, gulped it, then collapsed into the chair again. \"I can't.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, but I've taken legal advice and I'm advised you can. Also I intend to endow you and your church with an extra stipend—five hundred guineas a year.\" He knew the man was hooked, for the offer was three or four times his present salary and twice what the lawyer had advised: Don't spoil the old fart! \"We'll be in church on Sunday to hear the banns read, Tuesday's the great day, the same day you get a hundred guineas advance for your trouble. Thank you, Reverend.\" He stood but Tweet did not move and he saw his eyes fill with tears. \"What on earth's the matter?\"\n\n\"I just can't do what you ask,\" Tweet spluttered. \"It's—it's not possible. You see, your... even if that advice is correct, which I, er, I doubt... your mother wrote to me, she wrote formally, by the last post saying that... that your father had made her your legal guardian and you had been forbidden to marry.\" The tears were flowing down his cheeks, his rheumy eyes bloodshot. \"Dear God in Heaven, that's so much money, more than I ever dreamed, but I can't... I can't go against the law or her, dear God no!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A thousand guineas.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh God, don't, don't,\" the tired old man burst out. \"Much as I want the money... don't you see, the marriage wouldn't be legal, it's against Church law. God knows I'm as big a sinner as the next, but I can't and if she wrote to me surely she wrote to Sir William, who must sanction any such marriage. God forgive me, I can't...\" He stumbled out of the room.\n\nMalcolm stared after him. Speechless, his mind blank, his office suddenly a tomb. The plan, hatched with Heavenly Skye, had been perfect. They would marry quietly, just Jamie and perhaps Dmitri, then he would leave at once for Hong Kong after the duel to be there well before Christmas as his mother had asked and before the news could possibly reach her. Angelique would follow on the next boat.\n\n\"Those whom God hath joined together, let no man—or woman—cast asunder,\" Heavenly Skye had intoned when he had consulted him.\n\n\"Perfect! That's perfect, Heavenly.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you, Tai-pan. The fee's fifty guineas. Could I, er, could I have a down payment, cash, if you please?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fifty guineas was outrageous. Even so Malcolm Struan had given him ten sovereigns, with Noble House chits for the balance, and had walked home, feeling lighter than in weeks.\n\n\"You're in a happy mood today, Malcolm. Good news?\"\n\n\"Yes, my darling Angel, but I'll share it with you tomorrow. Meanwhile, when do we see our picture? Your dress was really marvelous.\"\n\n\"It takes such a time to develop whatever has to be developed. Perhaps tomorrow. You looked so handsome.\"\n\n\"Wonderful. I think we should have a party...\"\n\nBut now, with the party arranged for tonight, it would not be wonderful. He was totally downcast. Perhaps there was a way to force Tweet?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Should he have at him tomorrow when the shock had warn off?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More money? Sir William? A sudden idea. He rang the bell. \"Yes, Tai-pan?\"\n\n\"Vargas, run over to the Catholic church and find Father Leo. Ask him if he could step by for a moment.\"\n\n\"Certainly, Tai-pan. When should he come?\"\n\n\"Now, as soon as possible.\"\n\n\"Now, Tai-pan? But it's lunchtime—\"\n\n\"Now, by God!\" Malcolm shouted, so pent up was his frustration that he had to ask others to do the simplest jobs that he could have done himself before the Tokaidō—God curse those swine, God curse the Tokaidō—it's like B.C. and A.D. for me, except the bad is now, not the good. \"Now. Hurry up!\"\n\nVargas was white-faced as he rushed off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "While he waited, Malcolm tried to think of ways to strong-arm Tweet, letting his mind brood and, as the minutes passed slowly, becoming ever more infuriated and ever more determined." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Father Leo, Tai-pan.\" Vargas stepped aside and closed the door after him.\n\nThe priest tried to hide his nervousness. Several times he had begun to walk here to discuss with the Senhor his conversion to Catholicism, but each time he had stopped, promising himself he would go tomorrow but never had, afraid of making a mistake, stumbling over the words. In desperation he had sought out André Poncin to arrange a rendezvous and had been shocked at the way Poncin, then the French Minister personally—who rarely talked to him—had reacted, telling him such a discussion was premature, advising him God's work needed patience and prudence, forbidding the approach for the time being.\n\n\"'Morning,\" Malcolm said weakly.\n\nThis was the first time any of the Protestant traders had ever invited him into an office. Throughout the Protestant world, feelings against Catholics and their priests were seriously antagonistic, accusing them of bloody pogroms and religious wars, recent and never to be forgotten, reminding them of the iron control they exercised over their converts and countries they dominated—Protestants equally loathed by Catholics, and according to Catholic beliefs, heretic.\n\n\"The Blessings of God upon thee,\" Father Leo murmured tentatively. Before leaving his little bungalow adjoining the church he had hastily said a prayer that the summons was about what he had prayed so hard for. \"Yes, my son?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Please, I want you to marry Miss Angelique and me.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm was astonished that his voice sounded so calm, abruptly appalled that he was not only saying it but had actually sent for the priest, whilst understanding clearly the implications of what he asked—Mother will have a fit, our friends and our whole world will think I've gone raving mad..." }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"Ah, senhor, my son, please forgive me,\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"God be thanked,\" Father Leo had burst out in ecstatic Portuguese, his eyes closed, arms lifted up to Heaven. \"How marvelous are the ways of God, I thank Thee, thank Thee for answering my prayers, may I be worthy of Thy favor!\"\n\n\"What?\" Malcolm stared at him.\n\n\"Ah, senhor, my son, please forgive me,\" he said in English again. \"I was just thanking God that in His mercy He has shown you the light.\"\n\n\"Oh. Sherry?\" was all Malcolm could think of to say.\n\n\"Ah, thank you, my son, but first will you pray with me?\" At once the priest came nearer and went on his knees, closed his eyes and put his hands together in prayer. Embarrassed by the man's sincerity—though disregarding his prayers as meaningless—and unable to kneel anyway, Malcolm stayed seated and closed his eyes and said a small prayer to God, sure that God would understand this momentary lapse, trying to convince himself it was quite all right to have this man do what was needed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That the ceremony would probably be invalid in his world was unimportant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would be valid for Angelique. She could join his marriage bed with a clear conscience. And once the initial storm in Hong Kong had settled and his mother won over—or even if she wasn't—as soon as he was of age next May a proper ceremony would correct any little wrong.\n\nHe half opened his eyes. Father Leo was lost in the jumble of Latin. The prayer dragged on, and the blessing. When it was over Father Leo got to his feet, the little coffee beans of his eyes sparkling in his swarthy jowls. \"Please allow me to serve the sherry, to save you pain, senhor, after all now I am your servant too,\" he said jovially. \"How are your wounds? How are you feeling?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Fair. Now...\" Malcolm could not bring himself to call him \"Father.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Now, about the marriage, I th—\"\n\n\"It will be done, my son, it will be done marvelously, I promise.\" How wonderful are the works of God, Father Leo thought. I have not broken my promise to the French Minister, God has brought this poor youth to me. \"Don't worry, senhor, it is the will of God you have asked me, and it will be done for the Glory of God.\" Father Leo gave him a full glass, and poured one for himself, spilling a little. \"To your future happiness and God's mercy.\" He drank, then sat in the chair with such friendliness—the chair that such a short time ago had been occupied with such rejection—that Malcolm was further unsettled.\n\n\"Now, your wedding, it will be the best, the biggest ever held,\" the priest said, and rushed onwards, his enthusiasm vast, and Malcolm's spirits drooped lower, for he wanted this temporary wedding to be kept quiet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"We must have a choir and an organ, and new vestments and silver goblets for Communion, but before those details, my son, there are many wonderful plans to discuss. The children, for instance, now they will be saved, they will be Catholic and saved from Purgatory and the agonies of eternal Hellfire!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm cleared his throat. \"Yes. Now, the marriage should be next week, Tuesday's the best day.\"\n\nFather Leo blinked. \"But there's your conversion, my son. That takes time and y—\"\n\n\"I... well, I don't want to convert, not yet, though I agree that—that the children will be Catholic.\" They'll all be brought up properly, and be intelligent, he reasoned, feeling sicker by the moment. They'll be able to choose for themselves when they're adult... What am I thinking about? Long before that we'll be properly married in a proper church. \"Please, next week, Tuesday, that's the day.\"\n\nThe eyes no longer smiled." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You're not going to embrace the True Faith? What of your immortal soul?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No, no, thank you, not at the moment. I—I will... I will certainly consider it. The—the souls of the children... that's important...\" Malcolm tried to sound more coherent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Now, the marriage, I'd like it private, a simple ceremony, Tuesday wo—\"\n\n\"But your immortal soul, my son. God has shown you the light, your soul is even more important than this marriage.\"\n\n\"Well, I'll certainly consider it, yes, I will. Now the marriage. Tuesday would be perfect.\"\n\nThe priest set his glass down, his mind tangled with joys and hopes and questions and fears and danger signals. \"But, my son, that will not be possible, no, not for many reasons. The girl is underage, no? Her father's approval must be obtained, documents approved. You, the same, no?\"\n\n\"A minor?\" Malcolm forced a tentative laugh. \"It doesn't apply in my case, not when your father is dead. It's—it's English law. I checked it with... with Mr. Skye.\" He just managed to stop using \"Heavenly\" but cursed himself anyway for mentioning him at all, as he suddenly remembered Angelique telling him how Father Leo hated the man, hated the nickname, believing him, an open agnostic, to be an abomination.\n\n\"That person?\" Father Leo's voice hardened." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"His opinion will certainly have to be approved by your Sir William, he's certainly not to be trusted, and as to the senhorita's father, he can come from Bangkok, no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He's... I believe he's returned to France. He won't be necessary, I'm sure Mr. Seratard can act for her. Tuesday would be perfect.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Mandatory: Your text must contain 'church' 2 times exactly" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But, my son, why the hurry, you're both young, so much life ahead, your soul to consider.\" Father Leo tried a smile. \"It's God's will you sent for me, in a month or two y—\"\n\n\"Not, not in a month or two,\" Malcolm said, ready to explode, his voice strangled. \"Wednesday or Tuesday, please.\"\n\n\"Reconsider, my son, your immortal soul should be y—\"\n\n\"Forget my soul...\" Malcolm paused to get a grip on himself. \"I thought I would endow the Church, though it's not—not currently my Church, endow it handsomely.\"\n\nFather Leo heard the \"currently\" and the way \"handsomely\" had been said, ever conscious that God's work on earth required practical servants and pragmatic solutions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And funds. And influence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And those two essentials came only from the highborn and the rich, no need to remind himself that the tai-pan of the Noble House was both, or that already today a giant step forward in the service of God had been made: he had been asked for a favor, and the children would be saved even if this poor sinner burned in the Molten Torment. A shiver went through him, appalled for this youth and all those who would needlessly suffer such horror for all eternity when salvation was so easy to obtain.\n\nHe pushed that problem aside. The will of God is the will of God. \"The marriage will take place, my son, never fear, I promise... but not next week or the week after, there are too many barriers.\"\n\nMalcolm felt his heart about to burst. \"God Almighty, if it can't be next week or the latest the week after, then it's no good, it has to be then—or nothing.\"\n\n\"But why? And why private, my son?\"\n\n\"It has to be then, or nothing,\" Malcolm repeated, his face twisted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You—you will find me a good friend... I need your help... For God's sake, it's a simple thing to marry us!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, yes, it is, for God, but not for us, my son.\" The priest sighed and got up. \"I will ask God's guidance. I doubt if... but perhaps. Perhaps. I would have to be very sure.\"\n\nThe words hung in the air." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Job: User writes start, you add ~seven sentences sentences. Style: James Clavell. Note: May include established characters" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I hate to pour feces on your bouquet of roses, Tai-pan,\" Heavenly Skye said, steepling his fingers. He was slumped behind his desk in his drab little office. \"But since you ask my professional advice I'd say your Father Leo's not to be trusted, not a jot or tittle, unless you convert. There's no way that can be done in time and I wouldn't advise that, oh dear, no. He'll puppet you like a will-o'-the-wisp and your vital dates will pass and you'll be truly buggered.\"\n\n\"Then for Christ's sake, Heavenly, what do I do?\"\n\nSkye hesitated, blew his bulbous nose and cleaned his pince-nez, small spectacles, a favorite ploy to allow time to compose himself, or to cover a lapse, or, in this case, to prevent an all-pervading beam.\n\nThis was the first time anyone important had consulted him since he had hung up his own shingle, H. Skye, Esq., late of Moodle, Putfield and Leech, Solicitors and Barristers, Inns of Court, London, initially in Calcutta ten years ago, then Hong Kong, and recently here. At long last he had, potentially, a perfect client: rich, beset with anxiety, with a simple problem that could become ever more complicated, with long-term possibilities from the cradle to the grave." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And grand fees, for a solution, of which there were many, some good, some violent." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Can't think of a worse pickle to be in,\" he said solemnly, playing his part, liking and admiring the youth, not merely as a client, then offered a key. \"The Gordian knot, eh?\"\n\nMalcolm was miserable. Obviously Heavenly was right, Father Leo can't be trusted. Even if I converted... I can't, that would be too much... He looked up abruptly. \"Knot? Gordian knot? That was solved! Ulysses hacked it in two. No, it was Hercules!\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Sorry, Alexander the Great in 333 b.c.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Whoever did it doesn't matter. My problem is... Heavenly, help me cut through my knot and you've my undying gratitude and five hundred guineas...\"\n\nThe Harbor Master's signal gun echoed over the Settlement. They looked out of the mildewed window—Skye's office was in Lunkchurch's building and godown, stacked with books, fronting the sea. To their joy the fleet was rounding the headland in line ahead, flagship to the fore, with flags overall. Pride filled them, and relief. Cannonade salutes thundered from shore and ships, H.M.S. Pearl the most exuberant, with replying salvos from the fleet." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both men whooped, and Skye said, \"Now we can deal with the Jappos and sleep snug in our beds.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obliquely, he returned to the matter in hand, envying him Angelique and determined to help. \"Not difficult to solve Jappos, Willie needs to be simple and decisive, the old iron fist in the iron glove, or velvet, applies in most, if not all cases. As with you.\"\n\nMalcolm Struan looked at him. \"How? How? If you solve my problem you can... you can name your own price.\" Tiredly he reached for his canes. \"Within reason.\"\n\n\"A moment, Tai-pan,\" Skye said, exuberantly polishing his glasses. My price won't only be money, not from the Noble House, your influence can help me become a Hong Kong judge, ah, what joy that will be!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "My only dilemma is should I reveal the solution now, or wait and risk losing the initiative." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not on your Nelly!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A bird in the bed is worth two in the Yoshiwara.\n\nNo longer solemn, he set his pince-nez back on the tip of his nose, now like twin doors dominating his pink, babyish face, which seemed to over flow them. \"I had a sudden thought, Tai-pan. It could solve your problem, in the time you need. Why don't you do what your mother did?\"\n\nMalcolm was thrown for a moment, then the meaning became clear. \"Oh, oh, you mean elope? I've thought of that, for God's sake,\" he said irritably, \"but elope where and who's going to perform the ceremony? We're a million miles from Macao.\"\n\n\"What has Macao to do with it?\" Skye asked.\n\n\"Everyone knows Mother and Father eloped and were married in the English Church in Macao, the ceremony performed quietly and quickly because of Grandfather's influence.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Skye smiled and shook his head." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"That's the published story, but it's not true. Your Captain Orlov married them aboard your clipper China Cloud en route from Macao to Hong Kong—your grandfather had made your father Master for that short voyage, and as you know the tai-pan's law is that at sea the Master was the law of the ship.\"\n\nStruan was gaping at him. \"I don't believe it.\"\n\n\"The first attribute of a good lawyer, and I am a good lawyer, Mr. Struan, is to be a good listener, the second to have a nose for facts and secrets, the third to be discreet. It's very important to know as much as you can about your most important, potential clients—all the better to help them in adversity.\" He took a pinch of snuff, sneezed. \"The Noble House is the first in Asia, the stuff of legends, so when I came to Hong Kong I wanted to sift fact from legend about the Struans, Brocks, the Americans Cooper and his partner Wilf Tillman, even the Russian Zergeyev. I think—\" He stopped. The young man's eyes were glazed, staring into the distance, not listening, his mind surely on the solution as it surfaced and filled his firmament. \"Mr. Struan!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate this exact phrase, preserving the quotation marks: \"If that story's true, everyone in Hong Kong would know it.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Oh, sorry, you were saying?\"\n\n\"I'm delighted to present you with your solution: there are difficulties of course, but you have ships, they have captains, and captains of a British ship, in certain situations, can perform a marriage. You are tai-pan so you-can-order-it! Quod erat demonstrandum.\"\n\n\"Heavenly, you're fantastic,\" Malcolm burst out. \"Fantastic! You're sure—sure about my mother and father?\"\n\n\"Yes. One of my informants was Morley Skinner, owner of the Oriental Times, a contemporary of Dirk Struan, an old man who loved to gossip about the old times; another was Mrs. Fortheringill before she died, and—have you noticed how few people are interested in listening to old people who actually witnessed all kinds of events? Skinner died about eight years ago, did you know him?\"\n\n\"No.\" Some of Malcolm's hope evaporated. \"If that story's true, everyone in Hong Kong would know it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Dirk Struan decided to hush it, decided a 'quiet church wedding' was better face. He was powerful enough to do that, and even got the Brocks to agree. It's true.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But if he...\" Malcolm stopped—his face a delight to see." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But true or false, that doesn't matter, does it?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, it does. The truth is vastly important because it gives you a complete defense against your mother. After all, you're only doing what she did, you're following her example.\"\n\n\"My God, Heavenly, you're right again.\" Then even more excitedly, \"Do you have proof?\"\n\nOf course, silly boy, Skye thought, but you don't get everything at once. \"Yes, in Hong Kong. I'll need expenses to go there at once—against my retainer. Shall we say five thousand, which includes proof... and always providing my solution cuts your Gordian knot. By the time you get there, after the wedding, I'll have all the proof you'll need.\"\n\n\"God in Heaven, and I thought I was lost!\" Malcolm sat back in the chair." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now there was nothing to stop him." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 4 sentences." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'devils' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And this fact cleared his mind of many devils, devils of the night and of the day and of the future. \"What other 'facts' do you know about me and the past?\"\n\n\"Lots, Mr. Struan,\" Skye said with a smile. \"But they're not for now, however precious.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm Struan was heading homewards, happier than he could remember, his sticks or the pain not bothering him as much as usual.\n\nAnd why not? he almost sang. Married next week to the most beautiful girl ever, Mother finessed flawlessly—I can't wait to see her face—I've a party tonight that now will really be a celebration, and Norbert's back in perfect time to be sent onwards to meet his Maker. \"Ayeeyah!\"\n\nJovially he greeted and waved at those who passed by. He was popular as well as pitied, respected as tai-pan of the Noble House, and envied even more as the adored husband-to-be of the Settlement's darling.\n\nThe sun breaking through the clouds matched his mood and set the sea sparkling, while the fleet sorted itself out in the bay, Sir William's tender rowing out to the flagship, the mail ship clustered with other tenders. Their own merchantman, Lady Tess, which plied between Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, then all the major ports home to London and back again, was prepared for sea, outward bound this evening.\n\nHer captain would do, he thought—Lavidarc Smith, big and blustery, many years with Struan's like most of our captains, but I've never liked him much, I'd rather have had old Uncle Sheely to marry and bless us. Pity I didn't know what I know now when he was here. Never mind. Joss! Anyway, I can't keep Lavidarc here and even tomorrow would be impossible, have to deal with Norbert first.\n\nWhat about Vincent Strongbow, off Prancing Cloud?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She arrives Sunday and turns around for Hong Kong Wednesday. That gives me plenty of time to kill Norbert and slip aboard her before Sir William creases me. I mustn't be delayed here, far safer to be in Hong Kong where we've real power and Angel... my wife by then... she can follow in two or three weeks.\n\nSo, everything's decided. And Heavenly's right again: I must be very careful and not tell anyone, not even Angel, until just before. I can trust him, he's sworn to secrecy and his fee will be spread over the year, which will ensure I have his devotion. Ayeeyah, five thousand! Never mind, he's given me the answer, he's really done it! Thank God!\n\nAnother decision: I'm going to cut down on the medicine, even try to cut it out altogether. I've a duty to Angel to get well and be strong without props. And be fit to take over the Noble House. With Angel beside me, I can...\n\nHorses trotting past dispelled his reverie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He waved at the riders and saw that he was near the church, sun on the steeple, the smell of the sea and horses and earth and life in his nostrils. In sudden gratitude he began to go in to say a prayer of thanks when he noticed their steam launch heading for their wharf, Jamie in the stern, his head deep in a newspaper, and that reminded him of mail. He changed direction and was at the wharf head just before she came alongside.\n\n\"Jamie!\" he called out above the noise of the engine, and waved as she nosed against the timbers, heavy with seaweed and barnacles. He saw Jamie squint against the wind, then wave back. One look at his face was enough. \"I'll come aboard.\"\n\nAwkwardly he stepped on deck, difficult to walk on a sloping surface with two canes, but he maneuvered his way aft and allowed Jamie to catch his arm and help him down the three steps into the cabin. The cabin was spacious and private, with benches around a sea table, lockers underneath them. On the table was the mail, in neat bundles, separated into letters, newspapers, magazines and books. At once he saw a letter from his mother atop his pile, her writing so distinctive. Another letter from her to Jamie was already open on the table." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm—I'm glad to see you, Tai-pan.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "🎯 Target word: 'letter' | Required occurrences: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What's up now?\"\n\n\"Here, read my letter for yourself.\"\n\nFor yr information my son may not marry until he has attained his majority, under any circumstance. I have already informed Reverend Michaelmas Tweet, Sir William (by this post), and made a careful announcement in this day's Oriental Times (enclosed). Also all our captains of all our ships plying to and from your waters have been so informed and have ordered them to spread this information, and also advised Admiral Ketterer (by this post) in case a captain's ceremony tempts him. What my son does after his 21st birthday is of course up to him. Until that time, before God, I will protect his interests and ours as best I can.\n\nThe air had rushed out of Malcolm's lungs and blood from his face. He ripped open his own letter. It was almost a copy of the other, except personal and addressed My dearest son, and ended,\n\nThis is really for yr own good, my son." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I regret to say the girl's stock is bad—we have heard officials in French Indo-China now pursue her father for fraud, you already know an uncle is in Debtors' Prison in Paris. If you must have her, make her a mistress, much as I disapprove, but you will only store more trouble for yourself I am sure. I, of course, will never meet her.\n\nI trust I will have the pleasure of seeing you before Christmas when this sorry business can be behind us. I would write about the vile Brocks but that must be settled here and not in Yokohama. Yr loving mother\n\nThe \"P.S. I love you\" was there, so no secret message.\n\nSlowly he tore the letter into pieces. This control pleased him, but did not take away the fury that she had checkmated him. \"That woman,\" he muttered, unaware he was speaking aloud, \"that woman's a hag... a devil-spawned hag, a witch, how could she possibly know...\"\n\nMcFay watched and waited, gravely concerned.\n\nWhen he could think straight, Malcolm said, \"What's in the paper?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The article was brief:\n\nMrs. Tess Struan, acting head of Struan's, announced today that the Noble House would host a major celebration on the occasion of the 21st birthday of her eldest son, Malcolm, and his formal elevation to tai-pan on May 21st, next year.\n\n\"Well, Jamie,\" he said with a bitter smile. \"Not much more she can do to undermine me, is there?\"\n\n\"No,\" Jamie said, his heart going out to him.\n\nMalcolm saw the ships and horizon and beyond that Hong Kong and the Peak and all his friends there, and enemies. Now she was atop the list. \"It's funny in a way. A few moments ago I was riding a crest...\" Dully he told Jamie about his great idea, about Tweet's turn-down, and all about Heavenly's marvelous scheme. \"That's garbage now.\"\n\nJamie was as much in shock as Malcolm. He could not seem to get his mind working. \"Perhaps... perhaps Tweet could be persuaded. Perhaps a contribution to the Ch—\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He turned that down. So did Father Leo.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Jesus Christ, you asked him too?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm related that meeting, shocking Jamie even more.\n\n\"God Almighty, Tai-pan, if you're so set on it to go to those lengths... perhaps... we'll find another captain.\"\n\n\"Not much chance of that, Jamie. Anyway Heavenly stressed to keep it quiet until it was over, particularly Sir William who could forbid it as Angelique and I are under age. And if she put him on formal notice, he'll have to tell Seratard. She's won... God curse her!\"\n\nAgain he set his eyes on the horizon. In the past when a catastrophe happened, when the twins drowned, for example—while she never said it directly, he always thought that she blamed him, if he'd been there somehow it would not have happened—he would feel the tears welling, like now, but would force them back and that would make the hurt worse and the sick feeling terrible. He did that because \"A tai-pan never cries.\" She had always drummed it into him. It was the first thing he could remember her saying, \"The tai-pan never cries, he's above that, he fights on, like Dirk, he never cries, he bears the burden,\" repeating it again and again though tears always came easily to his father.\n\nI never realized what contempt she had for him.\n\nShe never cried, never once that I can remember.\n\nI'm not going to cry." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'jamie' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will bear the burden. I swore I'd be worthy of the tai-pan and I will. Never again will she be \"Mother\" to me. Never. Tess. Yes, Tess, I will bear it.\n\nHis eyes focused on Jamie, feeling so old, and so lonely. \"Let's get ashore.\"\n\nJamie started to say something, stopped. His face was strange. Then he pointed to the seat opposite. More packets of mail there.\n\n\"What is it?\"\n\n\"That's... that's Wee Willie's mail. Bertram, the Legation's new dogsbody, was sick so I said I'd... I'd fetch their mail for them.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie's fingers were as shaky as his voice." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He picked up the large bundle of letters. Its crisscrossed string was government-sealed in the center but it was still easy to leaf through the corners and find her two letters. To Sir William and Admiral Ketterer. \"We, with a little time, and... and luck you could, I... I might be able to... to get them out.\"\n\nThe hair at the nape of Malcolm's head seemed to stiffen. To rob the Royal Mail was a hanging offense." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two men stared at the bundle of letters, in turmoil, consumed with dread. The cabin was claustrophobic. Malcolm said nothing and watched Jamie, who was silent, both of them drained. Then, making the decision for him, Jamie's shaky fingers ripped at the string, but this galvanized Malcolm into his own decision and he reached over and grabbed the bundle and stopped him. \"No, Jamie, you mustn't.\"\n\n\"It's the—the only way, Tai-pan.\"\n\n\"No, it isn't.\" Malcolm straightened the string, relieved the seal was not broken, then smoothed the letters out and put them back on the other pile, the touch of them hateful. \"It's just not right,\" he said, his voice as weak as his knees, despising his weakness—was it weakness? \"I'd never forgive myself if you... if you were caught and... and, well, I just don't have the courage—apart from that it's not right.\"\n\nJamie's face was wet with sweat. \"Right or not, no one's to know. If we don't, you've no chance. Maybe we can find a captain—even Brock's, they've a ship next week.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm shook his head, his mind blank." }, { "from": "system", "value": "<<EMBED THIS>>: \"I'd never make it ashore.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A wave rocked the launch against the pilings, screeching the rope fenders. With an effort he forced himself to concentrate. All his life, whenever he was in quandary, he would ask himself what Dirk Struan, the tai-pan, would do—but never a real answer came forth.\n\nAt length, wearily he said, \"What would he do, Jamie? Dirk Struan?\"\n\nAt once Jamie's memory took him to that devil-may-care giant of a man, the few times he had seen him, or been in his company for a few minutes—he himself so junior and just arrived. \"He'd...\" After a moment, a smile began. \"He'd... Dirk would... yes, that's it. I think he would order us and the Bosun ashore and take the launch out himself 'to test her as something feels amiss,' and then... then when he was well away and in deep water, he would calmly open the sea cocks and, while she filled, he would make sure all this mail was well weighed and could not float free, then he'd go to the stern and light a cheroot and wait till she sank and swim ashore. Had he interfered with the mails? 'Perish that thought, laddie.'\" Jamie's beam became seraphic. \"Why not?\"\n\nBefore Tokaidō Malcolm was a strong swimmer. Now he knew he would sink like an anchor. \"I'd never make it ashore.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I could, easily, Tai-pan.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, but this isn't your problem, Jamie, and even if you did, it would only buy me a week or so and that's no good. Joss. We can't interfere with the Royal Mail. Let's agree to forget this happened. Eh?\" He held out his hand. \"You're a real friend, best I've ever had. Sorry I was rotten to you.\"\n\nJamie shook warmly. \"You weren't, I deserved what you said. No harm's done. Tai-pan... please, it would be easy.\"\n\n\"Thanks, but no.\" For the ten thousandth time, Malcolm knew he was not Dirk Struan and could never do what the tai-pan could do, in this case either blatantly remove the letters or sink them. Before Tokaidō, perhaps I would have dared, but now... now it's fifty times worse. Tokaidō, always Tokaidō, he thought, the word branded into his mind, so frustrated he could scream. \"I have to face it alone.\"\n\nHe hobbled ashore and went to his own suite. The small bottle was full but he took none of it, firmly putting it back into the drawer. Painfully he pulled his chair nearer to the window and sank into it with relief." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm going to win, he promised himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please, God, help me. I don't know how but I'm going to win Angelique, I'm going to conquer the pain, the opium, the Tokaidō, Tess, and I am going to win...\n\nHis sleep was deep and restful. When he awoke Angelique was there, seated near and smiling at him.\n\n\"Good afternoon, darling. My, but you slept well. It's almost time to change for the party!\" Her eyes were sparkling. She came and kissed him and knelt beside him. \"How are you?\"\n\n\"Seeing you makes me so happy.\" His voice was filled with love but it did not hide his inner worry.\n\nThat decided her. It was important to take him out of his usual seriousness so he would enjoy tonight's party, which he had promised was a celebration. \"I've a surprise for you,\" she said, mischievously." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What?\"\n\nShe scrambled to her feet and began to twirl as though dancing, her afternoon dress sibilant. Suddenly she chuckled and called out, \"Look!\" and lifted her skirts and petticoats, revealing the long length of her perfect legs enhanced by silk stockings, saucy garters under her knees, and garter belt and multilayered frilly panties. He had been expecting the traditional, all-concealing pantaloons. The sight of her took his breath away.\n\n\"Christ Almighty...\" he spluttered.\n\n\"It's for your pleasure only, my darling,\" she said, flushed at her daring, laughing at his color, then coquettishly raised her skirts over her head for an instant, letting them fall as suddenly, and fanned herself, saying breathlessly, \"It's the latest fashion, no more pantaloons! Pantaloons are finished. The columnist of Le Figaro says nowadays some of the most famous ladies of Paris don't even wear panties at the Opéra—on special occasions—for the secret pleasure of their lovers.\"\n\n\"Don't you dare,\" he said, laughing with her, swept up in her exuberance. He caught her hand and settled her into his lap. \"The thought would drive me wild.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She buried her head in his shoulder, pleased that her stratagem had worked." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 6 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I think I'll whisper in your ear during dinner, sometimes, or when we're dancing, that I've forgotten them—just to tease my Prince Charming, but only when we're married and to amuse. You don't mind, chéri, do you—the new fashion, no pantaloons?\"\n\n\"Of course not,\" he said, man-of-the-world, secretly not. \"If it's fashion, then it's fashion.\"\n\n\"You said tonight's party was to be a celebration?\"\n\nMost of his lightness left him. \"Yes, yes, it was. But... be patient with me, Angel. In a few days I'll be able to tell you the real reason—I just have to delay a little. In the meantime, know that I love you love you love you...\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Continue with the same vibes and character familiarity in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the evening the weather became changeable but it did not dampen the spirit of Malcolm's party. The main Struan dining room had been built for this purpose and dwarfed the rest of the Settlement's private facilities except for the Club. Sparkling silver, crystal glasses, the finest Peking china, the thirty-odd guests in evening dress or dress uniforms. Hoag had declined as he had a fever.\n\nDinner was immense as usual and at length over. Now to roars of approval, the long table was set against the wall—a rare occurrence but almost obligatory whenever Angelique was present, all guests wanting to dance with her. Except Jamie—but only tonight. By prior agreement with Malcolm, Jamie had quietly left during the mayhem of moving the table. \"Sorry, but I don't feel much like dancing. I'll slip out, Tai-pan.\"\n\n\"We both swore to forget about the launch today.\"\n\n\"It's not that, just want to collect my wits.\"\n\nTonight Angelique was the only lady present, the other two, like Hoag, were regretfully sick, and she was squired to the heating tempos of waltzes, polkas played by André Poncin on a grand piano, imported to huge applause in the spring." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One dance per guest was the rule, she was allowed to rest after four dances and to stop whenever she wished. Her face was glowing and she wore a new crinoline of red and green silk, but without the full hoops of a crinoline, that dramatized her wasp waist and swelling bosom, her nipples minimally covered in the fashion decreed by Paris, deplored by absent clergy, and devoured by every man in the room.\n\n\"Enough, mes amis,\" she said after an hour to groans and pleading from those who had not had a dance, and she went back to Malcolm, fanning herself and exhilarated.\n\nHe was in a great, carved oak chair at the head of the table, gentled by wine and brandy. He enjoyed watching her as much as any although, as always, deeply frustrated that he had not claimed the first dance, or would not claim the last as was his right. Normally he was an accomplished dancer.\n\nShe settled herself on the arm of his chair. His arm went lightly around her waist, hers rested on his shoulders.\n\n\"You dance marvelously, Angel.\"\n\n\"None of them are as good as you,\" she whispered. \"That's what first attracted me to you and, Prince Charm—\"\n\nCheers of anticipation stopped her." }, { "from": "human", "value": "To her embarrassment and chagrin, André's fingers began the first slow, seductive chords of the cancan." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 10 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not a little annoyed, Angelique shook her head, and did not move.\n\nTo her surprise, and amid roars of delight, Pallidar and Marlowe took center stage, towels wrapped around their uniforms as skirts, the rollicking music picked up tempo and the two of them began hilariously to parody the dance that scandalized the civilized world, outside of Paris, faster and faster, lifting their pretend skirts higher and higher, high kicking to more cheers and jeers and roars, every table thumping to the beat, faster and faster until the two men, red-faced and sweating in their tight uniforms, tried valiant splits and collapsed in a heap to tumultuous cheers and shouts of \"encore, encore,\" the applause deafening.\n\nLaughing with all of them, Malcolm graciously released her and she went over and helped them up, congratulating and praising their efforts.\n\nPallidar was panting and pretended a groan. \"I think I've put my back out for good.\"\n\n\"Champagne for the Army, and rum for the Navy,\" she called out, linked arms with both of them and brought them back to Malcolm for more praise, smiling at him. \"Not for me the cancan, eh, darling?\"\n\n\"That would be too much.\"\n\n\"My word, yes,\" Marlowe said.\n\n\"Yes,\" Malcolm said, sharing the secret smile with her, nicely titillated." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: enough, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When André began playing again, he chose a waltz. It was just enough to show her ankles as she swayed but not enough to reveal the daring lack of pantaloons. He had shown her the article in Le Figaro, encouraged her and shared the secret. All evening he had watched her and those fawning on her—Babcott towering over all the others, then resplendent Pallidar and Marlowe trying to ease him out of the inner circle—relishing his secrets and, for the moment, the life within a life that he led." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Angelique was dancing with Sir William." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Laughing to himself, he let his mind drift as his fingers played. What would they all do if they knew what I know? About the earrings, the abortion, and how I disposed of the evidence? They'd turn from her as if she were a leper, all of them, including lovesick Struan, he more than any." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If things were different and I were in Paris with her, backed by Noble House power and money and an adoring but invalid husband, what secrets I could obtain!" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 4 instance(s) of the word 'would'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She'd require expert training in the more feminine and not so gentle arts, her claws would need honing but then she would be a classic, any salon and any bed would welcome her, and once she had a taste of the Great Game this oh-so-cunning little chicken would feed on it with gusto.\n\nAnd into my bed? Now or later, certainly, if I wanted to turn the screws, but I no longer want her and will not take her, except for revenge. She's much more amusing as a toy and there's little enough in this world to amuse..." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wonderful idea, André!\" Phillip Tyrer was beaming down at him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Settry said you cooked the whole thing up with them.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What?\"\n\n\"The cancan!\"\n\n\"Ah, yes,\" André said. His fingers continued with the waltz, then ended it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Time for a break, let's have a drink,\" he said, deciding that now, being almost public, would be a perfect time to bring Tyrer to heel. \"I hear a certain lady's contract is worth a Minister's salary,\" he said in French, and saw Tyrer's face redden with embarrassment and look around. \"My God, as though I'd be so indiscreet. Phillip, don't worry, my friend, I have your interests in mind.\" He smiled, remembering their encounter at the Yedo Castle." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Affairs of the heart have nothing to do with affairs of State, though I believe France should share the spoils of the earth with Great Britain, no?\"\n\n\"I... I agree, André. Yes, I... the negotiations are not so good, I'm afraid. Yes, at a standstill.\"\n\n\"Better to speak French, eh?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, you're right.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tyrer used his handkerchief as a dandy would to wipe away a sudden sweat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Never thought it would be so difficult.\"\n\nAndré beckoned him closer. \"Listen, I can tell you how to fix that: Don't see her tonight even though you've an assignation for the night.\" He almost laughed aloud as Tyrer's mouth dropped open." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"How many times have I told you there are few secrets here. Perhaps I can help... if you need help.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Oh yes, yes, I do. I, yes, please.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then...\"\n\nBoth of them glanced at a roulette table that had been set up at the other end of the room, where there was a burst of laughter and clapping as Angelique won on double zero—no gambling for money tonight, just worthless bronze Chinese coins called small cash. Vargas acted as croupier.\n\nTyrer sighed. \"Lucky at gambling and lucky in love.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She works at it,\" André said thinly, irritated with her, \"so should you. Listen, break tonight's rendezvous with Fujiko; oh, I know Raiko's set it up especially at your pleading—Raiko didn't tell me by the way, it was one of her maids. Don't go, and don't send word that you're not going, just go to another Inn, say the Inn of the Lily, take any girl there, their prettiest is one called Yuko.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"But André, I don't wan—\"\n\n\"If you don't want to bed her, just make her please you in other ways, or get drunk, or pretend to get drunk, believe me you won't be wasting your money. Tomorrow, when Nakama mentions Fujiko, or anything about the contract or Raiko, act offhand, and tomorrow night, repeat the performance.\"\n\n\"But...\"\n\n\"Anytime Nakama mentions anything, act casual, say nothing other than that the Inn of the Lily was many times more promising, telling him sharply not to mention it again, particularly to Raiko. All right so far?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, but don't you think—\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No, unless you want to be driven mad, and not have Fujiko at a relatively reasonable price—you're going to get stuck anyway, Phillip, but never mind, it's not fair you should be beggared, it's a matter of face. Do not discuss this plan with Nakama, and keep the pattern up for a week at least.\"\n\n\"My God, André, a week?\"\n\n\"Three would be better, old friend.\" André was amused at Tyrer's miserable countenance." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'm not only saving you enormous money but an ocean of aggravation. It's important you act as if you couldn't care less, that you were pissed at the delays and breaking appointments and Raiko's outrageous asking price—particularly to an important official like you! That's a good thing to throw at Nakama once or twice. But not more, he's a sharp fellow, no?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, yes, he is, and very knowledgeable.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, André thought, and soon it will be time to share all of it with me, both what he's told you and what I have gleaned for myself. Interesting that he speaks English—thank God my spies have their ears open as well as their eyes. That explains a lot, though I don't know why he won't speak English to me or even Japanese whenever I've caught him alone. I suppose because Willie ordered him not to." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Now,\" he continued quietly, \"Raiko will ask me a dozen times to intercede and arrange a rendezvous. After a week I'll reluctantly agree. Don't let Nakama do it or let him in on the game and when you see Raiko, act tough, and with Fujiko. You've got to be very convincing, Phillip.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"But...\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Tell Raiko she was correct to consider her client's interests, yours, first—particularly as you are an important official, harp on that—giving you time to consider the matter carefully. You quite agree it's better to be prudent, that buying 'the woman's' contract now is not a good idea. Use that term and not Fujiko by name—don't forget from their point of view you're only discussing a piece of merchandise at this stage, not the lady you adore. Thank Raiko, and say with her help you have thought carefully and believe buying a contract would be a mistake. You'll just hire 'the woman's' services from time to time, and if 'the woman' is busy, shikata ga nai—it doesn't matter—life's too short, etc.\"\n\nTyrer had listened attentively and knew that André was right and groaned at the thought of not seeing Fujiko for a week, already imagining her suffering under the hulk of every gai-jin in Yokohama. \"I... I agree with what you say but—but I don't... I don't think I can do it, I mean the acting.\"\n\n\"You have to and why not? They're acting all the time, all the time! Haven't you noticed they live lies as the truth and the truth as lies? Women have no option, especially in the Floating World. Men? They're worse. Remember the Bakufu, the Council of Elders, what about them and what about Nakama, especially Nakama? They're past masters at the game, and that's all it is. Why be a pigeon, why let Raiko humble you and at the same time thrust gold you can't afford—can never afford—into her hands just because you are trying to assuage a never-ending ache that God implanted in us?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "André shivered. He knew the trap too well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was in it. Raiko had pressed him far beyond his own financial limit. That's not true, he told himself irritably. It's all right to twist the truth and lie with other people but don't do it with yourself, your secret self, or you are lost." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The truth is I rushed to the limit and beyond, gladly. Seventeen days ago." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The instant Raiko first introduced me to the girl...\n\nThe instant I saw her, she of the raven hair and alabaster skin and alluring eyes, I knew I would give Raiko my soul and walk into the Everlasting Pit to possess her. Me, André Edouard Poncin, servant of France, spymaster, killer, expert on the vileness of human nature, me the great cynic, in an instant I had fallen in love. Madness! But true.\n\nThe instant the girl had left the room, me helpless and tongue-tied, I said, \"Raiko, please. Whatever ask, I pay.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"So sorry, Furansu-san, this matter will cost more money than I care to mention, even if she agrees to be with you—she has not yet agreed.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Whatever money, I pay. Please ask, ask if agrees.\"\n\n\"Of course. Please come back tomorrow, at dusk.\"\n\n\"No. Please. Now ask—ask now, I wait.\"\n\nHe had had to wait almost two hours." }, { "from": "human", "value": "While he waited he fretted and prayed and hoped and died and died again." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Incorporate 'raiko' into your response exactly 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Raiko returned and he saw her set face, he began to die once more but rushed to life as she said, \"Her name is Hinodeh, meaning Sunrise. She is twenty-two and she says yes, but there are conditions. Apart from money.\"\n\n\"Whatever Hinodeh want.\"\n\n\"Best to listen first.\" Raiko was more somber than he had ever seen her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hinodeh says she will be your consort, not courtesan, for a year and a day. If on that last day she decides to remain with you, she will give you her in-ochi, her spirit, and be with you for another year, and another, year by year until she decides to leave or you tire of her. If she wishes to leave, you swear to release her freely.\"\n\n\"Agreed. When begin?\"\n\n\"Wait, Furansu-san, there's much more. There will be no mirrors in your house, and you will bring none into it. When she disrobes, the room will always be dark—except once, the first time. Only once, Furansu-san, you may see her. Next, the moment any... any disfiguring mark appears, or whenever she may ask you, without hesitation you will bow to her and bless her, and be her witness and give her the poison cup, or knife, and watch and wait until she is dead to honor her sacrifice.\"\n\nHis mind spun out of control. \"Dead?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"She said she would prefer the knife but did not know a gai-jin's choice.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "💬 Please integrate this quote: \"Then sickness her early, no mark yet?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When he could get his brain working, he said, \"I—I the judge if—if mark disfiguring?\"\n\nRaiko shrugged. \"You or she, it does not matter. If she decides to ask, then you must honor your promise. It will all be written into the contract. You agree?\"\n\nAfter he had sifted that, the horror of it, and made peace with it, he said, \"Then sickness her early, no mark yet?\"\n\nRaiko's eyes were unrelenting, her voice so gentle, so terribly final, the stillness in her room so vast." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Hinodeh has no disease, Furansu-san, none. She is blemishless.\"\n\nHis head seemed to explode with \"she is blemishless\" echoing in the sky of his mind together with his all-pervading shriek to himself \"but you're Unclean!\"\n\n\"Why? Why agree? Why? Why she... she know... know my... my bad. Yes?\"\n\nA maid, waiting on the veranda outside, frightened by his bellowing voice, pulled the shoji open." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, waved away by Raiko, obediently closed it again. Delicately Raiko sipped her saké. \"Of course she knows, Furansu-san. So sorry.\"\n\nHe wiped the saliva from the corners of his mouth. \"Then why... agree?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again the strangeness. \"Hinodeh will not tell me, so sorry. It is part of my agreement with her that I do not press her to know, as it must be part of your agreement with her. We are not to press her, she says she will tell in her own time.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raiko had exhaled heavily." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"So sorry, but you must agree as part of the contract. That is the final condition.\"\n\n\"Agreed. Please make contract...\"\n\nAfter an agony of time—only a few days—it had been signed and sealed and he went with Hinodeh, him Unclean and her Clean, in all her glory, and tomorrow he would again...\n\nAndré almost leapt out of himself as a hand grasped his shoulder and he found himself back in Struan's great room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was Phillip saying, \"André, are you all right?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"What? Oh, oh yes...\" André's heart was palpitating, cold sweat making his flesh crawl, that and the memory of \"Blemishless\" and \"First Time\" and the horror of it—and dreading tomorrow. \"Sorry, I... a cat was walking on my grave.\" All at once the room pressed down on him and he had to get out into the air. He got up, groped away, mumbling, \"Ask... ask Henri to play, I... I don't feel... sorry, have to leave...\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Blankly, Tyrer stared after him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Babcott wandered over from the roulette wheel. \"What's up with him? Poor fellow looks as though he's seen a ghost.\"\n\n\"Don't know, George. One moment he was all right, the next, mumbling and white as a sheet, sweat pouring off him.\"\n\n\"Was it anything you were talking about?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Don't think so, he was just advising me what to do about Fujiko and Raiko, nothing about him at all.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They watched André leave as though the room were empty.\n\nBabcott frowned. \"Not like him, he's usually so debonair.\" Poor chap, must be his affliction—wish to God I could supply a cure, wish to God there was a cure.\n\n\"Talking about debonair,\" Tyrer was saying, \"I didn't know you were such an accomplished dancer.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Nor did I,\" the giant said with a booming laugh." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I was inspired, she'd inspire anyone. Normally I dance like a rhino.\" They looked across at her. \"Extraordinary constitution that girl, and wonderful, infectious laugh.\"\n\n\"Yes, Malcolm's a lucky fellow. 'Scuse me, I'd best ask Henri to sub for André...\" He wandered off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Babcott watched Angelique. Curious that a doctor can examine a patient and not be aroused, he thought, even with someone like her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasn't, the times she consulted me at Kanagawa or here, though there was never any intimate examination, never a need except for the unusual heaviness of her period, a few weeks ago, when a careful examination was clearly necessary, though she never allowed it. I'd never seen her so pale or her lips so bloodless. Come to think of it, she acted strangely, wouldn't let me near her, just let me into her room briefly, almost as a stranger, when the evening before—the time I returned her crucifix—I had listened to her heart, tapped her chest and back and stomach and she had behaved like a normal patient. I remember her pulse was quite agitated, for no apparent reason. Curious behavior." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have I missed something?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he asked himself, watching her at the roulette table, bubbling with life, clapping her hands with childlike glee when she won Red or Black, Zergeyev and others teaching her the finer arts of gambling. Strange she doesn't wear her cross as most Catholics would, especially as it was a gift from her adored mother." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Writer's block help needed. This is from a bigger story - gonna send you something then keep it going 11 sentences at a time. Going for James Clavell vibes in the historical fiction, Japan genre." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Grand party, Malcolm,\" Sir William said, coming up to him, stifling a yawn." }, { "from": "system", "value": "/set_word_count: eleven, frequency: 2" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Time for me to turn in.\"\n\n\"Another brandy?\" Malcolm was sitting near the inglenook fireplace, the fire down to embers now.\n\n\"No, thanks, my back teeth are awash. Great lady, Malcolm, great sport.\"\n\n\"Yes,\" he agreed proudly, mellowed by the wine and brandies that deadened the pain and calmed his fluttering panic for the future. Not as strongly as the medicine, he thought. Never mind, it's a beginning.\n\n\"Well, good night.\" Sir William stretched. \"Oh, by the way,\" he said, his voice easy, \"could you drop by sometime tomorrow, any time that suits.\"\n\nMalcolm looked up sharply, the thought of his mother's letter putting ice into his stomach again. \"Say eleven?\"\n\n\"Perfect, any time. If you want to change it, fine.\"\n\n\"No, at eleven. About what, Sir William?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"It can wait, nothing that can't wait.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"About what, Sir William?\" He saw pity in the eyes studying him, perhaps compassion. His discomfort increased. \"It's about my mother's letter, isn't it—she said she was writing to you by today's mail.\"\n\n\"Yes, it was, but only partially, I had been warned to expect a letter. The first matter was Norbert, now that he's back. I hope this duel nonsense is out of both your heads.\"\n\n\"Of course.\"\n\nSir William grunted, unconvinced, but let it rest. He could do no more than warn both parties and then, if they proceeded, to enforce the law. \"You're both warned.\"\n\n\"Thank you. Second?\"\n\n\"Second was that I have been informed officially of the Government's plan to outlaw all trade in opium by British nationals, to forbid the trade in all British ships, to destroy our Bengal opium plantations and replant with tea. As you had led the delegation to ask and complain about the rumors I wanted you to be the first to know.\"\n\n\"That will ruin our Asian trade, our China trade, and completely upset the British economy.\"\n\n\"In the short run it will certainly cause a major problem for the Exchequer but it is the only moral course. Should have been done years ago. Of course, I understand the unsolvable silver-opium-tea triangle and the chaos of lost revenue it will cause the Exchequer.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William blew his nose, already weary of the problem that had harassed and aggravated the Foreign Office for years." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Think I'm getting a cold. I suggest you convene a meeting next week to see how we can minimize the confusion.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll arrange it.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Growing our own tea is a good idea, Malcolm,\" Sir William said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Marvelous idea! It might interest you to know the first Bengal test plantations producing crops were grown from seeds smuggled out of China and brought back to Kew Gardens by Sir William Longstaff, Hong Kong's governor in your grandfather's day, when he returned home.\"\n\n\"Yes, I know, we've even tasted the tea, it's bitter and black with none of the delicacy of China, even Japanese tea,\" Malcolm said, impatiently. Tea could certainly wait until tomorrow. \"Next?\"\n\n\"Last, your mother's letter,\" Sir William added, more formally. \"It's not the policy of Her Majesty's Government, or her officials, to interfere with the private life of her citizens. However, your mother points out you are a minor, she is your surviving parent and legal guardian. I am obliged not to approve any marriage without the legal guardian's consent, in this case of both parties. Sorry, but that's the law.\"\n\n\"Laws are made to be bent.\"\n\n\"Some laws, Malcolm,\" Sir William said kindly. \"Listen, I don't know what the problem is between you and your mother, nor do I wish to know–she did draw my attention to the piece in the Times, which can be read in several ways, not all of them good. When you are back in Hong Kong I'm sure you can bring her to your side, and in any event, you are of age in May, which isn't far away.\"\n\n\"Wrong, Sir William,\" he said, remembering the same advice from Gordon Chen—advice from men who don't know what love is, he thought without malice, just sorry for them. \"It's a million years away.\"\n\n\"Well, be that as it may. I'm sure it will all work out for you both. Henri's of the same opinion.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"You've discussed the matter with him?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Privately, of course. The French consul in Hong Kong is, er, aware of Angelique and her affection for you, your mutual affection. She's a wonderful person, she'll make a wonderful wife, whatever the problem with her father.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm reddened. \"You know about him too?\"\n\nThe lines in Sir William's face etched deeper. \"French officials in Siam are most concerned,\" he said delicately. \"Naturally they informed Henri, who rightly informed me, asking our assistance. Sorry, but it is an official matter of interest. You must be aware that, in fact, anything to do with the Noble House is a matter of interest.\" Adding sadly, for he liked Malcolm and regretted the Tokaidō as barbarism, \"The price of fame, eh?\"\n\n\"If—if you hear anything I would appreciate hearing first, privately, as—as quickly as possible.\"\n\n\"Yes, I can keep you informed. Privately.\"\n\nMalcolm reached for the brandy bottle. \"Sure you won't?\"\n\n\"No, thanks.\"\n\n\"Is there an answer to my problem?\"\n\n\"I've given it to you.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William kept his voice formal to hide a sudden wave of irritation." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As if a few months really mattered—the girl's not dead as Vertinskya's dead, nor anywhere near as marvelous! \"Your birthday's soon and Hong Kong only eight or nine days away. Of course you're welcome at eleven tomorrow, or any time, but that's all that I wanted to chat about. 'Night, Malcolm, and thanks again for the party.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was past midnight." }, { "from": "system", "value": "CONSTRAINT: Include 'again' 2 time(s)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm and Angelique were kissing passionately in the corridor outside their adjoining suites. The corridor was dark, just a few night lights. She was trying to hold back but she was enjoying him, more every day, his heat warming her more than yesterday—tonight his need, and hers, almost crushing. \"Je t'aime,\" she murmured, meaning it.\n\n\"Je t'aime aussi, Angel.\"\n\nShe kissed him again, searching, then again stumbled back from the brink, and held on to him until she caught her breath. \"Je t'aime, and it was such a lovely party.\"\n\n\"You were like champagne.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "She kissed his ear, her arms around him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before Tokaidō she would have to stand on tiptoe." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She did not notice it, though he did. \"I'm so sorry we sleep alone.\"\n\n\"Me too. Not long now,\" he said. Abruptly his pain soared but he bore it a fraction longer. \"So,\" he said, looking at her deeply. \"Sleep well, my darling.\"\n\nThey touched lips and murmured good night, many times, then she was gone. Her bolt slid home." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He picked up his sticks and dragged himself into his own rooms, happy and sad and worried and not worried at all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The evening had been a success, Angelique had been content, his guests had enjoyed themselves, he had contained his disappointment over the wreckage of his plan, and he had faced himself over the mails, not allowing Jamie to decide for him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That decision was right, he thought, though Dirk's would have been better. Never mind, I can never be him, but he's dead and I'm alive, and Heavenly has promised to devise a solution to her letters and the new twist in my joss: \"There must be an answer, Tai-pan,\" Heavenly had said, \"there must be an answer. I'll come up with something before I leave for Hong Kong, you'll need that proof whatever happens.\"\n\nHis eyes went to their communicating door, still bolted permanently at night by mutual consent. I won't think about Angelique or the bolt or that she's alone. Nor about my failure over our marriage. I made that promise early and I'll keep it. Tomorrow will take care of tomorrow.\n\nThe usual half carafe of wine was on the bedside table, with some fruit—lychee and mangoes from Nagasaki—English cheese, cold tea that he always drank instead of water, a glass and the small bottle." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bed was turned down, his sleeping gown laid out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The door swung open. \"Hello, Tai-pan.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was Chen, his Number One Boy, with his wide, toothed beam that always pleased him—Chen had looked after him as long as he could remember, as Ah Tok had been his amah, both totally loyal, completely possessive, and always at loggerheads." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He was squat and very strong, his pigtail luxurious, his face round with a permanent smile though the eyes did not always. \"Your feast was worthy of Emperor Kung.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah,\" Malcolm said sourly at once, knowing what the old man meant. \"May the great cow urinate on your immediate generations. Get on with your work and keep your opinions to yourself and don't act as though you were born under the sign of the Monkey.\" This was the Zodiac sign for clever people.\n\nChen's seeming pleasantry, like most in Chinese, had many meanings: Emperor Kung, who ruled China almost four millennia ago, was famous for three things: his epicurean tastes, the lavish banquets he staged, and for his \"book.\"\n\nIn those days there were no books as such, only scrolls. He had filled a scroll with a detailed treatise, the first \"pillow book\" ever, the source of all others that, by definition, dealt with the joinings of man and woman in all their possibilities and hazards, how to improve the climactic moment, names for the various positions and their minutiae, descriptions of devices, medicines, techniques—deep thrusts and shallow—how to choose the perfect physical partner, amongst other wisdoms saying," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...obviously, a man whose One-eyed Monk has the misfortune to be small should not be embattled with Jade Gate like that of a mare.\n\nLet it be known for all time, the gods have decreed that those parts, though appearing the same, are never the same but vary greatly. Extreme care must be used to avoid the trap of the gods who, while bequeathing man the means, as well as a need as strong and as permanent as the needle that seeks the North Star, to taste Heaven while on Earth—the moment of the Clouds and the Rain is such—at the same time, for their own amusement, they have set manifold obstacles in the way of the Yang's quest for the Yin, some easy to avoid, most impossible, all complex. As man should taste as much of Heaven while on Earth as he can—who knows if gods are really gods—the tao, the Path to the Gorgeous Gully must be scrutinized, examined, pursued and studied even more severely than the transmutation of lead into gold...\n\nChen bustled about the room, pained though pleased with his Master's knowledge. He was only doing his duty, drawing attention to the strength of the Yin, particularly tonight, the flaunting of it, her dancing and kissing, titillating the Master's Yang about which the Emperor had been very specific: A nervous and unrequited Yang in any household, if it be the Master's, will upset the whole household, therefore all the household should make every effort to relieve the unrelieved.\n\nAnd our house is in turmoil, he thought disgustedly. Ah Tok is more difficult than ever, Ah Soh grumbling about the extra work and worry, the cooks complaining about his loss of appetite, the houseboys moaning that nothing pleases him, and all because this cowlike barbarian whore won't just do her duty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "General opinion amongst the staff was that she must have one of those Rapacious Ravines Emperor Kung warned against:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "There are some the gods have lined with demons, their magnetic force so strong as to send men mad, and make them forget an immortal truth that one Yin is like another when the need is great, and worse, when at last one such Ravine opens to receive the Yang, this Heaven becomes Hell for there is never enough." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Ayeeyah, Tai-pan,\" Chen said, aiding him to undress. \"This person was only saying your banquet pleased everyone.\"\n\n\"Your Lord and Master knows exactly what you were saying.\" Malcolm struggled out of his shirt. His uncle, Gordon Chen, whom he treasured, had lectured him about the Emperor Kung's work, telling him this information, and other pieces of important knowledge about the Yang and Yin, was just between them and to be kept secret from his mother.\n\n\"You are an impertinent bugger,\" Malcolm said in English, his main defense with both Chen and Ah Tok. He could never seem to best them in Cantonese, but speaking English to them infuriated them. \"And I know you were trying to be snide about the Mistress, but you'd better stop, by God.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required dialogue to include (maintain exact wording): \"this person has only the interests of his Master before all else.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The round face twisted. \"Tai-pan,\" Chen said, in his best Cantonese, helping him into bed, \"this person has only the interests of his Master before all else.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah!\" Malcolm scoffed. \"Words from a forked tongue are as precious as mildewed fish bones to a starving man.\" He noticed an envelope propped on the bureau. \"What's that?\"\n\nChen hurried to fetch it, happy that the subject had changed from him. \"A foreign devil arrived tonight to see you. Our shroff Vargas saw him. The foreign devil said the letter was urgent so the shroff asked this person to put it here in case our Illustrious Master wanted it.\"\n\nThe writing was not familiar. \"Which foreign devil?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I don't know, Tai-pan. Is there anything else?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 9 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm shook his head, yawned and put the envelope on the side table and dismissed him. The medicine bottle beckoned. \"I won't,\" he said firmly, started to turn down the oil flame, then changed his mind and opened the letter with sudden expectation, thinking it was from Heavenly, or even Father Leo.\n\nDear Mr. Struan: Perhaps I may introduce myself, Edward Gornt of Rothwell's, Shanghai, late of Virginia, presently here in Yokohama for training with Mr. Norbert Greyforth at the request of Sir Morgan Brock.\n\nMr. Greyforth has asked me to act as his second in the private, though pressing matter of the duel you challenged him to. Perhaps I could wait upon you tomorrow? Would the morning be convenient, say noon or thereabouts? I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, Edward Gornt.\n\nThe signature was as neat as the copperplate writing." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand the story by adding nine sentences in the historical fiction, Japan genre. Match existing character context." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"'Morning, Mr. Gornt. May I introduce Mr. McFay, chief of Struan's, Japan. Please make yourself comfortable—Jamie, you too. Coffee, tea, sherry, champagne?\"\n\n\"Nothing, thank you, Mr. Struan.\"\n\n\"Mr. McFay's one of my seconds. Details are supposed to be arranged by seconds, I believe. Yes?\"\n\n\"Yes, suh. I've met Mr. Syborodin but didn't discuss anything with him, according to Mr. Greyforth's wishes.\"\n\nThe two young men studied each other. From the first instant both had experienced the same strange sensation: an intense attraction to the other. Each was thinking, How odd you could instantly like some people, for no apparent reason, while disliking others, loathing some, dismissing many. Even so, both were sure that however fierce their initial affinity, it would make no difference. Soon—today, tomorrow, even in the next few minutes—something would as quickly revert them to normality, to the comfortable historic enmity that bound their firms together and would reach down the ages, dismissing the first affinity as a peculiar aberration." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm said, \"What can I—we—do for you?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'jamie' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gornt's smile was genuine, his teeth white, like Malcolm's. He was of similar height but built lighter, his clothes less elegant, dark hair against the reddish-brown of Struan, brown eyes against the blue. \"Mr. Greyforth wanted to confirm dates, weapons, etc.\"\n\nJamie said, \"You know this is all against the law, Mr. Gornt, and the duel formally forbidden by Sir William?\"\n\n\"Yes, Mr. McFay.\"\n\nJamie shifted uncomfortably, detesting his involvement more than ever, and further unsettled by the curious mood in the room. He could not read it. Where there should have been ice and enmity, it seemed more a waiting moment, weirdly pleasant and preordained. \"That being said, what did Norbert have in mind?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Today's Tuesday. Would a week from today be okay?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I'd prefer Wednesday, the 10th,\" Malcolm said at once. He had made a plan in the early hours. Sleep had eluded him. He had fought the dragon that was in the little bottle and had won, though the fight had taken its toll and this morning's measure had been a pathetic relief.\n\nPrancing Cloud would arrive Sunday and was due to leave Wednesday evening. He would arrange secretly with her captain to sail the moment he could get aboard after the duel. Either he would have already smuggled Angelique aboard or would organize Jamie to escort her home in the next ship, to be decided at the last minute, the latest by Tuesday. It might be best to bring Jamie with Angelique, thus negating part of his mother's fury against Jamie by being obedient to one of her wishes and, hopefully, make her withdraw the termination order—he owed it to Jamie to try in every way to extricate him. If Angelique was aboard, perhaps he could find a way to persuade Captain Strongbow to forget his mother's orders." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It's a long shot, he thought, a very long shot but a faint heart never won a fair lady and it's the best I can do." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Joss. \"I'd prefer Wednesday.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I imagine that will be all right, suh. As to the place, we suggest first light at No Man's Land twixt the village and Drunk Town, not the racecourse as that's too public with early morning riders and so on.\"\n\nMalcolm laughed, not knowing why. \"A good choice,\" he said before Jamie could answer. Much better for me, more secluded, closer to the sea, much easier to slip out to the clipper from the Drunk Town wharf than ours. \"It's apparent you know a lot about Yokohama and you're here only a day.\"\n\n\"It was Mr. Greyforth's suggestion, but I did check out both early this morning. No Man's Land is better, safer.\"\n\n\"That's agreed. It will be difficult for me to walk my ten paces. I suggest we take our positions and on someone's order, yours if you wish, aim and fire.\"\n\n\"I will consult Mr. Greyforth.\"\n\n\"What else?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gornt hesitated, then glanced at Jamie." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Mandatory: Your text must contain 'norbert' 2 times exactly" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"We can arrange details later, how our principals arrive, by what routes, which doctor we can trust who should be present, etc. Lastly, th—\"\n\n\"You seem to be very well informed about duels, Mr. Gornt,\" Jamie said thinly. \"You've been involved in one?\"\n\n\"Several, Mr. McFay. As a principal once, and twice as a second, while I was at the Richmond University.\" Again the smile, warm, kind and sincere. \"We take matters of honor very seriously in the South, suh.\"\n\nThe pleasant unreality of the back and forth, and Jamie's belief that the tai-pan had been set up by Greyforth—notwithstanding Malcolm's stubbornness—broke his control. \"Then you should know Norbert was in the wrong,\" he said angrily. \"Norbert went out of his way to provoke the tai-pan, has done several times and there's no doubt he should apologize and then we could all stop this stupidity.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Jamie!\" Malcolm said sharply, and would have told him to leave but for yesterday." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yesterday's debt was vast and forever, so he just said, knowing the real friend that Jamie was, \"This isn't your problem, and I know how you feel.\" He looked back at Gornt. \"He is right, you know—Norbert has been personally very difficult.\" Gornt did not reply. Malcolm shrugged and smiled. \"Joss. It's not your problem either, Mr. Gornt. So, you were once a principal and twice a second. Clearly you won. The other man?\"\n\n\"I didn't kill him, suh, wasn't trying to kill him. I just wounded him.\"\n\nBoth men watched each other, weighing the other.\n\nJamie said nervously, \"Then everything's settled.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Yes, except weapons. Mr. Greyforth chooses swords.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm gasped and Jamie blanched.\n\n\"Duelling pistols were agreed,\" Jamie said. \"Agreed.\"\n\n\"So sorry, suh, it wasn't agreed. Mr. Greyforth as the challenged party has the right to choose weapons.\"\n\n\"But it was ag—\"\n\n\"Jamie, let me deal with this,\" Malcolm said, astonished with his own detachment, expecting trickery from Norbert. \"It was always presumed we were gentlemen and would use pistols.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry but those aren't my instructions, suh. As to gentlemen, my principal considers himself one, and chooses to defend his honor with a sword, which is quite customary.\"\n\n\"Obviously that's not possible.\"\n\n\"Mr. Greyforth also said—I must tell you I do not approve of this and told him so—he also said if you wanted, he would agree to knives, swords or fighting irons.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jamie began to get up but Malcolm stopped him." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required text (preserve exact wording): \"I'll be there, Jamie, though there won't be much discussion, just a lot of shrieking and foul temper.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In my present state, that's impossible,\" Malcolm said, then gathered himself and said firmly, \"If this is a ploy for Norbert to gain face, to humiliate me and call off the duel, then I spit in his eye and will continue to do so.\"\n\nJamie flushed at the bravado, admired it and hated it, then suddenly realized this could be a perfect face-saver for both men. \"Tai-pan, don't you think—\"\n\n\"No. Mr. Gornt, obviously I can't, now, even use a sword. Please ask Norbert to accept pistols.\"\n\n\"Well, suh, I will certainly ask, certainly the first duty of a second is to try to bring about a reconciliation and it seems to me there's room enough for both you gentlemen in Asia. I'll ask.\"\n\nJamie said, \"Mr. Gornt, I'll be here. Anything I can do to help stop this insanity, just say the word.\"\n\nGornt nodded, began to rise, but stopped as Malcolm said, \"Perhaps I could have a private word, Mr. Gornt? You don't mind, do you, Jamie?\"\n\n\"Not at all.\" Jamie shook hands with Gornt, then said to Malcolm, \"There's a meeting of all traders to discuss Sir William's bombshell at noon in the Club.\"\n\n\"I'll be there, Jamie, though there won't be much discussion, just a lot of shrieking and foul temper.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I agree. See you later, Tai-pan.\" Jamie left." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the fine office once more the two men watched each other. \"You're aware of our Parliament's stupidity?\"\n\n\"Yes, suh, I am. All governments are stupid.\"\n\n\"Would you join me in a glass of champagne?\"\n\n\"A celebration?\"\n\n\"Yes. I don't know why but I'm pleased to meet you.\"\n\n\"Ah, then you felt the same? Not right, is it?\"\n\nMalcolm shook his head and rang the bell. Chen appeared and when the champagne was opened and poured he went away, his little eyes darting from silent man to silent man. \"Health!\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'needn't' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Health,\" Gornt replied, savoring the chilled wine.\n\n\"I got the impression you wanted to speak privately.\"\n\nGornt laughed. \"I did indeed. Dangerous for an enemy to be able to read your mind, eh?\"\n\n\"Very, but we needn't be enemies. Rothwell's is a good client, the hatred and blood feud between the Struans and the Brocks needn't touch you, whatever Tyler or Morgan say.\"\n\nGornt put his eyes on the cut-glass crystal and the bubbles, asking them if he was correct in thinking that the time was now or if he should wait. The tawny eyes considered Struan. He decided to dismiss the danger. \"You are reputed to like secrets, to be trustworthy.\"\n\n\"Are you?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"In matters of honor, yes. Your reputation... do you like stories, legends?\"\n\nMalcolm concentrated, the unreality of the meeting and this man disorienting him. \"Some better than others.\"\n\n\"I'm here under false pretenses.\" Gornt's sudden smile lit up the room. \"Christ Jesus, I don't believe I'm truly here with the future tai-pan of the Noble House. I've waited and planned so long for this meeting and now it's arrived—before I came here I had no intention of saying anything now, other than what Mr. Greyforth asked me to say. But now?\" He raised his glass. \"To revenge.\"\n\nMalcolm thought about that, unafraid and spellbound, then drank and poured again. \"It's a good toast in Asia.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Anywhere. First: I need your word of honor, the honor of the tai-pan of the Noble House, before God, that what I tell you will remain secret between us, until I release you.\"\n\nMalcolm hesitated. \"So long as it's a story.\" Then he swore the oath.\n\n\"Thank you. A story then. Are we safe here? Can anyone overhear us?\"\n\n\"In Asia, usually. We're aware doors have ears as well as walls, but I can fix that. Chen!\" he called out. The door opened at once. In Cantonese he said, \"Stay away from the door, keep everyone else away, even Ah Tok!\"\n\n\"Yes, Tai-pan.\" The door closed.\n\n\"Now you're safe, Mr. Gornt. I've known Chen all my life and he doesn't speak English, I think. You speak Shanghainese?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"A little, the same with Ning poh dialect.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You were saying?\"\n\n\"This is the first time I have ever told this story,\" Gornt said, and Malcolm believed him. \"Once upon a time,\" he began, no lightness now, \"a family went to England from Montgomery, Alabama—their home for generations—father, mother, and two children, a boy and girl. She was fifteen, her name Alexandra, and her father was the youngest of five brothers. Wilf Tillman was the oldest.\"\n\n\"The co-founder of Cooper-Tillman?\" Struan said, jarred.\n\n\"The same. Alexandra's father was a minor tea and cotton broker, an investor with brother Wilf in Cooper-Tillman, and he went to London to work with Rothwell's on a three-year contract to advise on cotton—Cooper-Tillman was their major supplier. They stayed just under a year. Unfortunately both parents had gotten very ill, no wonder, eh, with the fogs and that weather, I nearly died myself while I was there—I spent two years in London training with Brock's, one with Rothwell's. Anyway, the Tillmans decided to go home. Halfway across the Atlantic Alexandra discovered she was pregnant.\"\n\n\"Ayeeyah,\" Malcolm muttered.\n\n\"Yes. The shock, on top of her adored father's illness, killed him. He was thirty-seven. They buried him at sea. The Captain's death certificate just said 'brainstorm' but both she and her mother knew the real cause was the bad news. Alexandra was just sixteen, as pretty as a picture. That was in '35, twenty-seven years ago. Alexandra had a son, me. For an unmarried girl to have a child out of wedlock, to be a fallen woman... well, Mr. Struan, no need to tell you what a stigma and disaster that is, and Alabama's Bible country, our part, and the Tillmans were gentry. Earlier we talked about honor, it's true what I said, that we take honor seriously, and dishonor. May I?\" Gornt motioned to the champagne.\n\n\"Please.\" Malcolm did not know what else to say." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The voice was lilting, pleasant, uninvolved, just a storyteller relating a history." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the moment, he thought grimly.\n\nGornt poured for Struan, then for himself. \"My mother and her mother were ostracized by society, and the Tillman family—even her brother—turned against her. When I was three my mother met a Virginian, a transplanted Englishman—Robert Gornt, gentleman, tobacco and cotton exporter, card-playing enthusiast from Richmond—who fell in love with Mother and she with him. They left Montgomery and were married in Richmond. The story they fabricated was that she was a widow, married at sixteen to a Yankee cavalry officer who had been killed in the Sioux Indian wars. She was nineteen then.\n\n\"Everything was more or less all right for several years. Until '42—the year after Dirk Struan practically single-handedly founded Hong Kong, the year before you were born. '42 was a bad year for Hong Kong with its Happy Valley fever plague, malaria, the Opium War with China, the great typhoon that obliterated the city there, and unholy bad for the Noble House because the same typhoon killed the great Dirk Struan.\" A sip of champagne. \"He was responsible for Wilf Tillman's death and for ruining the Tillman family.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I know nothing about that. Are you sure?\"\n\nGornt smiled his smile, no animosity behind it. \"Yes. Wilf Tillman was sick with the Happy Valley fever. Dirk Struan had cinchona bark that could have cured him, but wouldn't give or sell it to him, wanting him dead, like Jeff Cooper.\" His voice picked up an edge. \"The Boston Yankee wanted him dead.\"\n\n\"Why? And why should the tai-pan want Tillman dead?\"\n\n\"He hated him—he had different views than Wilf. Among other reasons, Wilf had slaves, not illegal at that time, or now, in Alabama. And to assist Cooper to take over the firm. After Wilf died, Jeff Cooper bought his shares for a pittance, and cut off my family's remaining money. Dirk was responsible.\"\n\nMalcolm said, \"We certainly have a joint venture with Cooper-Tillman in cinchona bark, Mr. Gornt, and are old friends. As to the rest, I know nothing about it, or believe it. I'll check the story the moment I get back to Hong Kong.\"\n\nGornt shrugged. \"Years later Cooper admitted he had never approved of Wilf Tillman. His exact words were, 'Listen, young man, Wilf deserved everything he got, he was a slaver and useless, never did a day's work in his life, your Southern gentleman was vile. Dirk was right to give the little cinchona he had to others who he judged deserved it. It's been my work, mine, that made the company that's paid for your mother, stepfather and you all these years... '\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gornt's face twisted, then he was calm again." }, { "from": "system", "value": "You must use the word 'money' exactly 2 times in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outwardly. \"He said a few other things, suh, that... that's unimportant now. But cutting off funds, our rightful money, was very important. It was then the rows between Stepfather and Mother began and we moved, downwards. It wasn't till many years later I found out he had married her for her money, his cotton and tobacco businesses were shams, he was just a gambler and card player, not a successful one, and she had continually covered for him. When Mother was dying she told me all this. But he wasn't bad to me, evil to me, just dismissed me. I've been dismissed all my life. Now it's time for revenge.\"\n\n\"I don't see why you should blame me.\"\n\n\"I don't.\"\n\nMalcolm stared at him. \"I thought 'fighting irons, or swords' was the beginning.\"\n\n\"That wasn't my idea, I told you. I told Mr. Greyforth it won't work. He'll be laughed at if he tries to insist.\"\n\nAfter a pause Malcolm said, \"It sounds as though you don't like him.\"\n\n\"I don't like or dislike him. I'm here to learn from him for a month and then take over when he retires next year. That's the plan—if I decide to join Brock's.\"\n\n\"You may have to take over sooner than you think.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Malcolm's voice hardened. \"Next Wednesday—hopefully.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You're set on having this duel?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"May I ask the real reason?\"\n\n\"He's gone out of his way to provoke me, surely at Brock's direction. It will be better for Struan's if he's removed.\"\n\n\"Will you try to remove me when I go against Struan's?\"\n\n\"I will oppose you, compete with you, stop you if I can—I wouldn't want to fight you.\" Malcolm smiled a good smile. \"This is a mad conversation, Mr. Gornt. It's mad to be so truthful and so open but we are and that's that. You said 'revenge.' You're determined to have at us, because of what my grandfather supposedly did to Wilf Tillman?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Gornt said with a smile. \"In due time.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What about Jeff Cooper?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Required dialogue to include (maintain exact wording): \"Him too. In due time.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The smile vanished. \"Him too. In due time.\" Then, for a moment, Gornt's voice became thick with venom. \"But that's not most of the revenge I seek. I want to destroy Morgan Brock, to do that I need your help...\" He burst out laughing. \"My God, Mr. Struan, suh, sorry, but if you could only see yourself.\"\n\n\"Morgan?\" Malcolm spluttered.\n\n\"Yes.\" Gornt beamed. \"I can't do it alone. I've got to have your help—that's ironic, isn't it?\"\n\nMalcolm groped to his feet and shook himself like a dog and stretched and sat down again, his heart in overdrive. He poured another glass and spilled some on his desk and quaffed it and all the time Gornt watched and waited, pleased with the effect his words had had." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It took Malcolm a little time to respond. \"Morgan? For God's sake, why?\"\n\n\"Because he seduced my mother when she was fifteen and ruined her life and abandoned her. In the Bible it says killing your father, patricide, is an unholy deed—my mama made me swear I'd not do it when she told me the truth of my parentage on her deathbed. So I'm not going to kill him, just ruin him.\" The words were said flatly, without emotion. \"To do that I need Struan's.\"\n\nMalcolm took a deep breath and shook his head again. None of this made sense to him though he believed it all—even Dirk Struan's behavior. Ayeeyah, so much to learn, he thought, and listened intently as Gornt continued, saying that Morgan was twenty at the time, apprenticed to Rothwell's and living in their countinghouse-residence, so it was easy for him to sneak into her bedroom: \"At fifteen what would such a girl know, the classic Southern belle, nurtured like a rare plant? When Rothwell found out, he fired him, of course, but Old Man Tyler Brock laughed and quietly and secretly bought a controlling interest in the firm an—\"\n\nMalcolm was shocked. \"Brock controls Rothwell's?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"He did, for a time, just enough to fire Rothwell and all their directors and appoint new ones. When Jeff Cooper found out, he had enough clout to force Old Man Brock to make it a hands-off deal, fifty-fifty. In return Jeff would run the company and keep it secret, particularly from Struan's. The deal's still in effect.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Does Dmitri know?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"No. Nor Mr. Greyforth. I stumbled on the details when I was in London.\"\n\nMalcolm's mind was working hard. Struan's had been involved with Rothwell's over the years but no one had ever said they had been poorly treated, or cheated. Then something Gornt had said ran to the front of his mind. \"Does Morgan know you know about him?\"\n\n\"I wrote to him in London when Mama died. He replied it was all news to him and denied it, but telling me if ever I was in London to come to see him. I did. Again he denied it. Nothing to do with him, he told me, he'd been blamed for the mischief of some other apprentice, nothing to do with him. I was destitute at that time so he found me a job of sorts, then helped me get into Rothwell's.\" Gornt sighed. \"Mama told me when Morgan had been confronted by Rothwell he had said that he would 'marry the slut if her dowry be ten thousand nicker a year.'\" A shudder took him though his face did not change, nor the flatness of his voice. \"I could forgive Morgan everything, maybe, but never that, never 'the slut.' That's in writing from Rothwell, he's dead now but his letter isn't. Thanks for listening.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He got up and stretched and started for the door." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Wait,\" Malcolm said, startled, \"you can't finish there!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I don't intend to, Mr. Struan, but this sort of talk, confession is perhaps a better word, is good for the soul but exhausting. Also I can't spend too much time here or Mr. Greyforth might be suspicious. I'll arrange about the pistols, and about shooting from twenty paces, then come back.\"\n\n\"Wait a minute, for God's sake! What help do you need? Why should I help you anyway? What do you want from me?\"\n\n\"Not much actually—you can kill Norbert Greyforth, but that's not essential,\" Gornt said with a laugh, then again became serious. \"More important is what I can do for you. Before the end of January, the Brocks will crush Struan's, but that you already know, or should. I can stop them, for a price. As God is my witness, I can give you information that can turn their genius against themselves, to destroy Brock's forever.\"\n\nMalcolm felt his heart turn over. If he could get Struan's off that barb his mother would concede whatever he wanted. He knew her too well. She'll give me anything I want, anything, he shouted silently, if I want her to become Catholic she'd even do that!\n\nWhatever the cost, he knew he would pay it, and pay gladly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"The price—apart from revenge?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 1 sentence." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"When I come back.\"" } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "ill start (might include ongoing story elements), then u do six sentences in James Clavell's voice ok?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Malcolm waited all day but the stranger did not return. It did not worry him. That night he dined alone. Angelique had said she was tired, too many parties and late nights and an early night would do her good. \"So, my darling Malcolm, I shall just eat a snack in my room and do my hair and then into dream time. Tonight I love you and leave you... you are abandoned.\" He did not mind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "His brain brimmed with so much hope that he was afraid if she had stayed he would have to confide in her—and when Jamie dropped by early in the evening he had to stop himself blurting out the fantastic news." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include this dialogue snippet naturally: \"You seem so—so... as though the weight of the world has fallen off you. Haven't seen you looking so good in weeks. But you have had good news?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Heavenly found an answer?\" Jamie asked.\n\n\"No, good Lord no, not yet. Why?\"\n\n\"You seem so—so... as though the weight of the world has fallen off you. Haven't seen you looking so good in weeks. But you have had good news?\"\n\nMalcolm grinned. \"Perhaps I've turned a corner and am really getting better.\"\n\n\"Hope so. Your accident on top of everything else... I just don't know how you do it. With all that's happened in the last few weeks, I'm truly tired, and that fellow Gornt's the last straw. Something about him frightens me.\"\n\n\"How so?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Don't know, just a feeling. Maybe he's not as harmless as he seems.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jamie hesitated. \"Do you have a minute to chat?\"\n\n\"Of course, sit down. Brandy? Help yourself.\"\n\n\"Thanks.\" Jamie poured a small measure from the sideboard, then pulled the other high-backed armchair beside the fire opposite him. The curtains were drawn against the night, the suite cozy. Nice smell of wood smoke and the sound of ships' bells from the fleet in the bay also comforting. \"A couple of things: One way or another I want to go back to Hong Kong for a couple of days—before Christmas.\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'you're' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"To see Mother?\"\n\nJamie nodded and sipped his brandy. \"I'd like to be on Prancing Cloud. She'll dock... why the smile?\"\n\n\"You're one jump ahead of me. I was planning to be aboard her too.\"\n\nJamie blinked, then smiled seraphically. \"You've changed your mind and you're going to do what she says?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Not exactly.\" Malcolm told him his plan about Prancing Cloud and saw Jamie's euphoria evaporate." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Don't worry, I'm a much better shot than Norbert, and providing he agrees to shoot from twenty paces without the walk he's as dead as the dodo—if I decide to kill him. Forget Norbert. Angelique: if we can't smuggle her aboard, I say 'we' because you always were part of the plan, you bring her by the next ship, so one way or another you'll be in HK before Christmas.\"\n\nJamie hesitated. \"Mrs. Struan will still be very irritated to find Angelique with us.\"\n\n\"Let me worry about that.\"\n\n\"I do. Which brings me to the nut: When I leave Struan's I was thinking of trying to start my own firm, that's really what I wanted to chat about. If you'd have any objections.\"\n\n\"On the contrary, I'd go out of my way, Struan's would, to help in every way. But that won't be for years yet.\"\n\n\"I think she's decided I am to go.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I'll object like hell,\" Malcolm said, startled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"You're due for promotion, a raise and the company wouldn't want to lose you, she would know that. That's a shocking idea.\"\n\n\"Yes. But if it becomes necessary... bear with me, Tai-pan, if it's necessary would you object?\"\n\n\"To you going off on your own? No. But I hate the idea and Struan's would be the loser, I swear to God. It won't happen, and if... if you asked to leave I'd find a way to make you stay—to persuade you to stay. I would.\"\n\n\"Thanks, thanks very much.\" Jamie took a large swallow and felt a little better. Not from the warmth of the brandy but from the way Malcolm had spoken." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The last few weeks had been bad." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yesterday, because of Mrs. Struan's letter to him, he had been confronted with an immortal truth: however loyal you are to a company, however much service you give \"the company,\" the company can and will spit you out at its whim, without conscience." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what is \"the company\"? Just a group of men and women. People. Mrs. Struan, for instance.\n\nPeople are \"the company\" and those in charge can and always will hide behind that facade, that \"the company must survive,\" or \"for the good of the company,\" and so on, wrecking or promoting for personal reasons, enmities or hatreds.\n\nAnd don't forget most companies these days are family companies. In the end it's \"family\" that wins." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Blood is thicker than competence. They may fight amongst themselves but in the end they usually unite in the face of the enemy who is anyone not family, so it's Albert MacStruan who has been positioned to take over Japan. Nothing I can do, will do about that. Maybe family businesses are more humane, can be better than impersonal bureaucratic, anonymous institutions but even there, perhaps more so, you're subject to the old-boy network. You lose either way...\n\nLast night, untypically, he had got very drunk in his little house in the Yoshiwara, finding no solace in Nemi." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every time he thought about the truth of \"the company\"—adding it to the hanging crime he had almost committed, and Tess Struan's unfairness, Malcolm's stubbornness, and his own stupidity, knowing that if Malcolm had not stopped him he would have ripped the string off and torn the letters up and thrown them overboard—his head would spin and only another tumbler of rum would stop the motion until it created spinning of its own." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nemi couldn't help: \"Jami, wot you matter? Jami, Jami!\"\n\n\"It's Machiavelli who said it best,\" he had said, his words slurred and incoherent. \"Put not your trust in bloody princes, they can plead expedience.\" Bloody princes, tai-pans, mothers of bloody tai-pans, sons of Dirk Struan and their sons...\" and then he had wept.\n\nAy, he thought queasily, that's the first time in years, last time was when I'd just arrived in Hong Kong, twenty years ago and heard Ma had died while I was on the high seas. She must have known she was dying when I left. \"Off you go, my bonny laddie, earn our fortune, and write every week...\" If it wasn't for her we would have all died—only her strength kept us alive until the Struans arrived and our joss changed.\n\nCried my heart out." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like last night, though the tears were different." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word usage requirement: 'believe' must appear 2 times" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was crying for my lost innocence. Can't believe how naive I was to believe in \"the company.\" Would Dirk have let me down? Never. The tai-pan wouldn't have, couldn't have, but he's just a legend. I've got to find the courage to strike out on my own—I'm thirty-nine, old in Asia, though I don't feel old, only a ship without a rudder. And so is Malcolm... Is he?" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Include exactly 2 instance(s) of the word 'about'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He looked at him, still noticing the change. Malcolm's different, more like his old self, he thought. More adult, is that possible? Don't know, but either way his joss is fixed, like mine. \"I'm glad we didn't tamper... I can't say how sorry I am she's blocked you.\"\n\n\"Me too.\" Malcolm had told Jamie what Sir William had said about expecting the letter, and about opium and their Bengal fields, the news of which this morning had erupted the Settlement into a frenzy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The noon meeting at the Club had been more violent than usual with the added motion, carried unanimously, that Sir William should be strung up or at the least impeached if he tried to enforce Parliament's stupidity. He saw how deeply unhappy Jamie was and once again was tempted to pour out the marvelous development called Gornt. But he remembered his oath. \"I'm very confident now, Jamie. Don't worry. You're off to the Yoshiwara?\"\n\n\"Not immediately though I've got to see Nemi.\" Jamie smiled ruefully. \"I hung one on last night, going to take her a present. It's not necessary but she's a good sort, and lots of laughs. First I'm seeing Nakama, Phillip asked me to see him for half an hour. Seems he asked Phillip about business and banking, capital, things like that—Phillip asked me to explain the rudiments.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"That's curious.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes. The bugger's got an enquiring mind all right. Pity he's not so forthcoming with us.\"\n\n\"Barter your knowledge for something we want to know. Tomorrow I think I'll have a chat with Phillip. Ask him to see me, will you?\" Malcolm's voice hardened. \"We were to share all information, wasn't that our agreement?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, it was.\" Jamie finished the brandy. \"Thanks. And thanks for the chat.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He stood up and said sincerely, \"I hope with all my heart it works out for you, Malcolm.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, I know, Jamie. It will work for you too. 'Night.\"\n\nIn the quiet of his room, Malcolm contentedly stretched out his legs towards the fire, anxious for the morrow and more from Gornt. What could be the price? he mused, watching the coals. He could hear voices inside the building and outside on the praia. Occasional laughter and a few drunken songs." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word restriction: Use 'marlowe' 2 time(s) only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "John Marlowe had come by this afternoon bringing a message from the Admiral, could he drop by the flagship tomorrow, or if not convenient, Sir William's.\n\n\"I could meet at Sir William's. What time?\"\n\n\"Noon?\"\n\n\"Good. What's it about?\"\n\n\"Don't know,\" Marlowe said. \"I'll bet it's not to pass the time of day.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ever since Admiral Ketterer had returned from the engagement at Mirs Bay and Hong Kong he had been seething about adverse and critical reports in the papers, and was still furious that British-made cannon had fired on his ships." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I don't think he took kindly to some of the more rude remarks at the meeting today.\"\n\n\"Tough,\" Malcolm had said, and laughed, still intoxicated with Gornt's information.\n\nMarlowe had laughed too. \"For God's sake, don't say that on his quarterdeck, the whole ship would blow up! By the way, my trials are approved, Monday or Tuesday, weather permitting. Which would be best for you both?\"\n\n\"How long would we be out?\"\n\n\"Leave at dawn, or thereabouts, back latest by sunset.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Tuesday.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A coal fell out of the fire onto the hearth but safely. He nudged it under the basket with the poker and stirred the embers. The blue-greened orange flames rose a little and died down again, making pictures for him. Positive pictures. About him and about her. He looked at their adjoining door. No sound ever came through it." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 7 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gornt's the key to Tess.\n\nIronic that he needs me as I need him and we are enemies. I've a feeling we always will be. What's his price? It will be something I can deliver. He's wise enough to do that. Why are you so sure? Revenge is too strong a motive, I know." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Expand on this story segment like James Clavell would, staying true to the historical fiction, Japan genre. Characters may have existing backgrounds." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Produce a starting prompt please." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the Inn of the Lily, Phillip Tyrer was being massaged by a muscular Japanese woman with massive arms, her fingers of steel finding the pressure points, and she played them like a keyboard to his groans of pleasure. This House was not as delicate, or as expensive, as the Three Carp but the massage was the best he had ever had and took his mind off Fujiko and Nakama and André Poncin, and Sir William, who had been furious all morning, culminating at noon when the raging venom from the Club almost blew the roofs off Yokohama.\n\n\"As if it's my fault Parliament's gone mad,\" Sir William had shouted at the lunch table, the Admiral equally furious. \"Is it, Phillip?\"\n\n\"Of course not, Sir William,\" he had said, co-opted to the lunch against his wishes, the General the third guest.\n\n\"Parliament's always been arbitrary and stupid! Why the devil don't they let the Foreign Office run the colonies and have done with all the heartache? As for the shower called traders here, enough to make you spit blood.\"\n\nThe Admiral had growled, \"Fifty lashes with a cat-o'-nine-tails would make them toe the line, by God! Every man jack of them, especially journalists. Rotters, all of them.\"\n\nThe General had said smugly, still smarting from the dressing-down Sir William had given him over the riot, \"What can you do, my dear Sir William, except take it like a man? And Admiral, old chap, you were really asking for it by making public political statements. First rule for Flag Rank or general's stars I always thought was to keep the old head down, be circumspect with public orations and suffer in silence.\"\n\nAdmiral Ketterer's neck went purple." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sir William managed to interrupt the next broadside with: \"Phillip, I'm sure you have an abundance of work to do, for God's sake get the correspondence copied and the complaint to the Bakufu must go off today!\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had escaped thankfully. Nakama had greeted him affably, \"Ah, Taira-sama, I hope you better feeling. Mama-san Raiko ask me ask how hea'rth is, as you not keep appointment with Fujiko who is tears... who was in tears and—\"\n\n\"My health is fine. Last night I—I had a very pleasant time in the Inn of the Lily,\" he had said, astounded André's predictions had been so accurate. \"Fujiko? I'm having second thoughts about her contract, yes, by God, second thoughts!\" He had been delighted to see Nakama blink and was even more pleased that he could use his fright over Sir William's spleen during the morning and at lunch to act out André's plan.\n\n\"But Taira-sama, I th—\"\n\n\"And we're not speaking English anymore today and no more questions about business. You can talk to Noble House McFay-sama and that's the end of that...\"\n\nHe groaned aloud as the masseuse probed deeply." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her fingers stopped at once." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 9 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Iyé, dozo...\" No, please don't stop, he said in Japanese and the woman laughed, and replied, \"Don't worry, Lord, by the time I have dealt with this pallid, out-of-strength fishlike body of yours, you'll be ready for three of the best Lilies in the House.\"\n\nHe thanked her dully, not understanding but not caring. After three hours with Nakama in Japanese, and fielding more of the man's remarks about Raiko and her Inn—just as André had forecast—his head was spinning.\n\nIn time the woman began the soothing touches with knowing hands, fragrant with oil and she finished, wrapped him in a warm towel and left. He drifted off but woke as the shoji slid open and a girl came in and knelt beside him. She smiled and he smiled back and told her he was tired and please would she just sit there until he woke up, again following André's instructions. The girl nodded and smiled and was quite content. She would get her fee anyway.\n\nAndré's a genius, he thought, equally contented, and went happily to sleep." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "writing exercise: 4 sentences sentences continuing this chapter, James Clavell style, historical fiction, Japan genre. characters may be pre-established" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tonight was the second time that André went to visit Hinodeh." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was exactly ten days and twenty-two hours and seven minutes ago that he had beheld her in all her glory, the night imprinted on him forever." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good evening, Furansu-san,\" she had said shyly, her Japanese melodious." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their anteroom was off their small veranda and their house set in the gardens of the Three Carp, fragrant as she was fragrant." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Ensure 'their' appears 2 time(s) in your answer" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her kimono's golds and browns of winter moved gracefully as she bowed and motioned to the cushion opposite. Behind her the shoji to their bedroom was ajar, just enough to see the edges of the futons and coverings that would be their first bed. \"The saké is as I was told you would like it. Cool. Do you always drink saké cool?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, I—I like taste more g-good.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He found himself stuttering, his Japanese harsh-sounding, his hands seemed to be in the way, and his palms were sweating." }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smiled. \"Strange to drink cold drinks in winter. Is your heart cold in winter and summer?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Eeee, Hinodeh,\" he said, the pulse pounding in his ears and throat." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I think my heart like stone for so long now, think about you, not know if hot or cold or what. You beautiful.\"\n\n\"It is only for your pleasure.\"\n\n\"Raiko-san told you about me, yes?\"\n\nHer eyes were slanting and calm in the white of her face, brows plucked with half-moons painted in their place, high forehead, widow's peak, raven hair piled high and pinned with tortoiseshell combs that he longed to loosen." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"What Raiko-san has told me I have forgotten. What you told me before the signing is accepted and forgotten. Tonight we begin. We meet for the first time. You must tell me about you, everything you want me to know.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes picked up a light and crinkled with amusement. \"There will be time enough, yes?\"\n\n\"Yes, please. Forever, I hope.\"\n\nAfter all the contract terms had been agreed over days and had been set down and read and reread and put in simple terms that he could understand, he was ready to sign in front of her and Raiko." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had summoned all his courage: \"Hinodeh, please excuse, but must say, must tell truth. The bad.\"\n\n\"Please, there is no need, Raiko-san has told me.\"\n\n\"Yes, but, but please excuse me...\" The words came haltingly, even though he had rehearsed them a dozen times, new waves of nausea washing through him. \"Must tell one time: I caught bad disease from my mistress, Hana. No cure possible, so sorry. None. You will, must catch if... if, must catch if become consort, so sorry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The unseen sky had seemed to fly apart for him as he waited." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Yes, I understand and accept that and I have had written in my contract that I absolve you of any blame, concerning us, any blame, you understand?\"\n\n\"Ah, blame, yes, understand blame. Thank you an—\"\n\nHe had had to excuse himself and rushed out and was violently sick, sicker than he had even been in his life, sicker than when he discovered that he had caught it, or after he found Hana dead. When he came back he did not apologize, nor would an apology be expected. The women understood." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Before I sign, Furansu-san,\" she had said, \"as you had importances, it is important to me to ask if you promise to give me the knife or poison as agreed in the contract?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"Thank you. Both important things need not be mentioned, or talked about again. You agree, please?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" he had said, blessing her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Then it is done. There, I have signed, please to sign, Furansu-san, and Raiko-san is our witness. Raiko-san says our house will be ready in three days. On the fourth day from now I will be honored to receive you.\"\n\nOn the fourth day, sitting in front of her in their private sanctuary, he was consumed with her beauty, the oil lamps bright but not overly so. \"This house please you, Hinodeh?\" he asked, trying to sound interested but only obsessed to have her unadorned." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is more important if it please you, Furansu-san.\"\n\nHe knew she was only doing what she had been trained to do and her responses and actions would be automatic, trying her best to put him at his ease, whatever she felt within. With most Japanese men he could usually tell what they were thinking, with Japanese women almost never—but then it's usually the same with most Frenchwomen, he thought. Women are so much more secretive than we are, so much more practical." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hinodeh looks so peaceful sitting there motionlessly, he thought. Is she volcanic or sad or terrified—or filled with so much fear and loathing that she's numb.\n\nBlessed Mother, forgive me, but I don't care, not at the moment, later, perhaps later I will, not now.\n\nWhy would she agree? Why?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that must not be asked, never." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hard to obey that clause, and yet it's an added spice, or the one issue that will destroy me, us. I don't care, hurry up!\n\n\"Would you like to eat?\" she asked.\n\n\"At moment, I—I not hungry.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "André could not take his eyes off her, nor hide his desire. The sweat trickled." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her little smile did not change. A sigh. Then, with every movement leisured, long fingers untied her obi and she stood and let the outer kimono fall, all the time watching him, tranquil as a statue. Then the under-kimono, then the first slip and the second, and then the loincloth. She turned without haste, showing herself to him, and then again and stood before him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perfect in every way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hardly breathing, he watched her kneel, pick up her cup and sip, then sip again, the pulse in his head and neck and loins pushing him to the limit of control." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had planned over the days to be gallant with words and gestures and movements, so Gallic and Japanese and worldly and practiced, to be the best lover she had ever had, would ever have without regrets, to make their first joining a memorable and wonderful experience. It was memorable but not wonderful. His will snapped. He reached out for her and hurried her to the futons and there he was subhuman.\n\nSince that night he had not seen her, or Raiko, avoiding them and the Yoshiwara." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next day he had sent a message to Hinodeh, saying that he would inform her when he next intended to visit her. In the interim he had had delivered another payment of gold to Raiko, his salary pledged for two years to pay the contract price—and then much more.\n\nYesterday he had said he would visit her tonight.\n\nHe hesitated on their veranda threshold." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shoji screens shut out the night." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "An inner golden light beckoned him. His pulse was pounding as before, throat choked. Inner voices overflowed with vile language directed at himself, shouting at him to leave, to kill himself—anything to avoid her eyes and the disgusting mirror image of himself that had been therein. Leave her in peace!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "All of him wanted to run and all of him wanted to possess her again, in any way, every way, worse than before, whatever the cost, hating himself, better to die and end it, but first her. I must." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He forced his feet out of his shoes and slid the door aside. She was kneeling exactly as before, same costume, same smile, same beauty, same delicate hand motioning him to sit near her, same gentle voice: \"The saké is as I was told you would like it. Cool. Do you always drink saké cool?\"\n\nHe gaped at her. The eyes that had been filled with so much hate when he had stumbled away from her, now were smiling at him with the shy sweetness as in the first moment. \"What?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, as though she had never said it, she repeated in the same tone, \"The saké is as I was told you would like it. Cool. Do you always drink saké cool?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"I—I, yes, yes, I do,\" he said, hardly hearing himself over the roar in his ears.\n\nShe smiled. \"Strange to drink cold drinks in winter. Is your heart cold in winter and summer?\"\n\nParrotlike he muttered the correct responses, no difficulty in remembering every word and happening, indelibly recorded, and though his voice was erratic, she did not seem to hear it, just continued as before, her eyes slanting and calm.\n\nNothing changed. \"Would you like to eat?\" she asked." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"At moment, I—I am not hungry.\"\n\nHer smile did not change. Nor the sigh. She got up. But now she turned down the oil lamps and went into the bedroom that he had defiled and doused those lights completely." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When his eyes had adjusted to the dark, he saw that the tiniest glimmer came through the shoji panels from the veranda lamp, barely enough to see her shape. She was disrobing. In moments he heard the sound of the coverlet being pulled back.\n\nWhen he could stand he groped to his feet and went into the room and knelt beside the bed, long since realizing she had been trying to save face, his, to blot out that which could never be blotted out.\n\n\"From my mind, never,\" he muttered in misery, wet with tears." } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Produce 5 sentences as a continuation. Note: Story may reference established characters/events." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Use the word 'watch' 2 time(s) - this is a strict requirement" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga caught a passing reflection in the butcher's shop window and did not recognize himself. Passersby on the High Street barely noticed him. He retraced his steps, stared at his shadowed image—and new disguise. Top hat, high collar and cravat, a broad-shouldered, waisted frock coat of dark broadcloth, waistcoat of blue silk, stainless steel chain across it joining the toggle to a fob watch, tight trousers and leather boots. All the gift of H.M. Government, except the watch given him by Tyrer—for services rendered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He took off his hat and looked at himself, this way and that. Now his hair covered his pate and was growing fast, nowhere near as long as Phillip Tyrer's but certainly long enough to be considered European. Cleanshaven. The quality and cheapness of British razors had impressed him greatly, another stunning example of manufacturing prowess.\n\nHe smiled at himself, pleased with his masquerade, then took out his watch, admiring it, noting the time, 11:16. As if sixteen minutes mattered, he thought scornfully, though pleased he had learned gai-jin timekeeping so quickly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have learned much." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not enough yet but a beginning." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Want 'ter buy a nice leg of frozen Aussie mutton, off the mail ship's ice hold, me Lord, or wot'tabout some nice fat bacon, Hong Kong smoked?\" The butcher was big-bellied, bald, with arms like cannons and a bloodstained apron.\n\n\"Oh!\" Then Hiraga noticed the meats and offal and game hanging on the other side of the windows with their swarms of flies. \"No, no thanks. I just 'rooking. Good day, sir,\" he said, hiding his revulsion. With a flourish he replaced his hat at a jaunty Tyrer tilt and continued down High Street towards Drunk Town and the village, politely raising his hat to other pedestrians or riders who replied in kind." }, { "from": "human", "value": "This pleased him even more for it signified acceptance, by their standards, so different from Japanese customs—from civilized standards." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Your task: Include 'taira' 2 time(s) in your response" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fools. Just because I use their dress and begin to wear like them they think I am changed. They are still enemy, even Taira. Stupid of Taira to change his mind over Fujiko, what is the matter with him? That does not fit into my plan at all.\n\nHiraga caught sight of Struan hobbling out of his building with Jamie McFay, Ori's woman between them in animated conversation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This reminded him of his meeting with the Noble House Number Two man. His head was still reeling from Western facts and figures, and still limp from all the information McFay had extracted from him about moneylenders and rice merchants like the Gyokoyama. \"Jami-san, perhap possib'er you meet one of these men, if secret,\" he had told him, in desperation, to escape. \"I interpret if keep secret.\"\n\nThe shoya was waiting for him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sensing the man's eagerness to learn what he had learned, Hiraga toyed with him, accepted the offer of a massage. Then, relaxed in a proper yukata, and over a delicate lunch of rice, dried squid, morning fresh sea bass sliced paper thin with soya, daikon—horseradish—and saké, he said he had had talks with important gai-jin and they had answered his questions. He sipped his saké and volunteered none of it. Important information needed encouragement. Reciprocity. \"What news from Kyōto?\"" }, { "from": "system", "value": "Word restriction: Use 'shoya' 2 time(s) only" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"It is all strange,\" the shoya said, glad that the opening had been given him. \"My Masters informed me the Shōgun and the Princess Yazu arrived safely and are inside the Palace. Three more ambushes by Ogama patrols of shishi... no, so sorry, no details yet of how many killed. Lord Ogama and Lord Yoshi hardly move from behind their walls... But Shōgunate samurai now guard the Gates, as in the past.\"\n\nHiraga's eyes widened. \"They do?\"\n\n\"Yes, Otami-sama.\" The shoya was delighted that the bait was taken. \"Strangely, a little distance from all Gates, there are secret pickets of Ogama samurai, and from time to time the opposing captains confer secretly.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiraga grunted. \"Curious.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The shoya nodded and, like the good fisherman he was, struck hard." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"And, oh yes, not that it may be of importance to you, but my overlords believe the two shishi I mentioned before, Katsumata, and the Choshu shishi, Takeda, escaped capture in Kyōto and are travelling on the Tokaidō.\"\n\n\"To Yedo?\"\n\n\"My Masters did not say. Clearly the news would be of no value.\" The shoya sipped some saké, hiding his amusement at Hiraga's attempt to cover his consuming interest.\n\n\"Anything to do with shishi could be of significance.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Ah, in that case... although it's unwise to relate rumors,\" the shoya said, pretending embarrassment, judging the time ripe to land this fish, \"they report there is a story around the Inns of Kyōto that a third person escaped the first ambush. A woman, a samurai woman skilled in the art of shuriken... what is it, Otami-sama?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Nothing, nothing.\" Hiraga struggled for composure, a thousand questions ricocheting in his mind. Only one woman samurai in Katsumata's school had ever gained that skill. \"You were saying, shoya? A woman of samurai lineage escaped?\"\n\n\"It's only a rumor, Otami-sama. Foolishness. Saké?\"\n\n\"Thank you. This woman, was there anything else?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"No. Such a silly rumor is hardly worth reporting.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Perhaps you could find out if—if such nonsense has any truth to it. I would like to know. Please.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"In that case...\" the shoya said, noting the big concession of \"please,\" his voice honeyed with a trace of humility." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Any service to you and your family, valued clients, the Gyokoyama is honored to do.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Thank you.\" Hiraga finished his saké." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sumomo had been in Kyōto with Katsumata... Where is she now, why didn't she go on to Shimonoseki as I ordered?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was she doing?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If she escaped, where is she?\n\nIn repayment, and with an effort, he put those and other questions aside for later, and concentrated. He took out a sheaf of notes and began explaining, partially parroting, what \"Taira\" and \"Mukfey\" had told him over the hours. The shoya listened intently, thankful that his wife was secretly overhearing them and writing it all down.\n\nWhen Hiraga had rambled about loans, financing, and banking—unclear on most of what he had been told—the shoya, impressed with Hiraga's memory and grasp of what was so totally alien to him, said seriously, \"Remarkable, Otami-sama.\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Another important matter.\" Hiraga took a deep breath." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Mukfey said gai-jin have a kind of market, shoya, a stoku markit where the only goods bargained for, bought or sold, are small printed papers called stoku or sheru that somehow represent money, huge amounts of money, each stoku being part of a kompeni.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He drank some tea. Seeing the shoya's lack of comprehension, he took another deep breath. \"Say daimyo Ogama gave all Choshu, all land and produce of the land to a kompeni, the Choshu Kompeni, and decreed that the kompeni was to be split, by deed, into ten thousand equal parts, ten thousand sheru, understand?\"\n\n\"I... I think so, please go on.\"\n\n\"Thus the stoku of the Choshu Kompeni is ten thousand sheru." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next, the daimyo, on behalf of the kompeni, offers all or any part or number of sheru to anyone with money. For their money the man or woman get this piece of paper saying how many sharu of the Choshu Kompeni he has bought. This person then owns that part of the kompeni and therefore the same proportion of its wealth. The money he and others pay into the kompeni then becomes its kaipit'r, I think this Mukfey gai-jin said, the money needed to run and improve the wealth of the kompeni to pay stipends, or reclaim land or buy arms, or seeds, or improve fishing boats, to pay whatever is necessary to increase and make Choshu prosper, to make the value of the Choshu Kompeni higher.\n\n\"Mukfey explained that... He said in any market, Shoya, prices change, in famine times often daily, no? It's the same in this daily stoku markit with hundreds of different kompeni, buyers and sellers. If the Choshu harvest is huge, the value of each part of the Choshu Kompeni will be high, if famine, low. The value of each sheru varies also. Understand?\"" }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"I think so,\" the shoya said slowly, understanding very well indeed, covertly afire with delight and questions." }, { "from": "human", "value": "\"Good.\" Hiraga was tired but intrigued by these new ideas though at times lost in their maze." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He had never, ever, bargained in a market, or an Inn, just paid what was asked, when asked, never in his life argued about the cost of anything or the amount of a bill—except since he became ronin. Bills were always sent to whoever received his stipend, if you were samurai. If unmarried, normally to your mother. Buying and handling money was the job of women, never of men.\n\nYou ate what she—mother, aunt, grandmother, sister or wife—bought from your stipend, you clothed or armed yourself in the same way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "With no stipend you starved, you and your family, or you became ronin, or voluntarily had to give up your samurai status and become a farmer, laborer, or far worse, a merchant." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Shoya,\" he said, frowning. \"Prices vary in a food or fish market. But who decides the price?\"\n\nThe guild of fishermen or farmers, the shoya could have said, or more likely the merchants who really own the produce, having lent them the money to buy nets or seeds. But he was much too cautious, most of his energy spent trying to remain calm in the face of so much priceless information, however incomplete. \"If there are lots of fish, they are cheaper than when there are few. If depends on the catch, or the harvest.\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hiraga nodded. Obviously the shoya was being devious, hiding the truth or twisting it. But that is only normal for merchants and moneylenders, he thought, suddenly deciding to keep any meeting between Mukfey and this man in reserve, and also to keep for later the last piece of kompeni lore that, for some reason he could not fathom intrigued him more than the rest: that if you were the one who formed the kompeni, you decided how many stoku you reserved for yourself, without payment, and if the number amounted to fifty-one or more out of every hundred, you retained power over the kompeni. But why...\n\nHis head almost burst with sudden understanding: With no outlay you became the kompeni Shōgun, the bigger the kompeni the bigger the shōgun... with no outlay!\n\nWhen sonno-joi is fact, he thought weakly, we—the samurai council—we will recommend to the Emperor that only our council may form kompeni, then, at long last, we control all the parasites, the merchants and moneylenders!\n\n\"Otami-sama,\" the shoya was saying, not having noticed any change in Hiraga, his own mind agog with the marvelous information he had gleaned." }, { "from": "system", "value": "🔍 Find a place to insert: \"My overlords will be most grateful and so am I. When we have managed to sift all your brilliant thoughts and ideas, perhaps I could have an opportunity to ask a few insignificant questions?\"" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"My overlords will be most grateful and so am I. When we have managed to sift all your brilliant thoughts and ideas, perhaps I could have an opportunity to ask a few insignificant questions?\"\n\n\"Certainly,\" Hiraga said, exultant with the rosy future. The more questions the better—they will force me to understand first. \"Perhaps when you hear more about Ogama and Yoshi, or the shishi, or that woman. Shuriken, you said?\"\n\n\"I will do my best,\" the shoya answered, knowing a deal had been struck." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then his mind took him back to a missing, essential piece of the puzzle." }, { "from": "system", "value": "Next message should be approximately 2 sentences." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "\"Please, may I ask, what is this kompeni? What is it, what does it look like?\"\n\n\"I don't know,\" Hiraga said, equally perplexed." } ]