Negotiating hoods

Summary

Negotiating hoods are face-covering garments used during business transactions in the campaign world. The tradition involves participants wearing hoods that cover their faces so they cannot see each other's eyes during financial dealings. This practice is described as "culturally how negotiating is done" and is recognized as the proper protocol for conducting business transactions. The hoods serve to prevent eye contact between negotiating parties, presumably to maintain neutrality and reduce emotional manipulation during business dealings.

The quality and decoration of these garments varies significantly based on the owner's status and resources. When Cat puts on her negotiating hood during dealings with the Pine Cone Man, he visibly relaxes and remarks, "Finally a little bit of civility," treating the gesture as the proper beginning of civilized negotiation.

Multiple characters possess their own negotiating hoods, treating them as standard equipment for commerce.

Properties

Negotiating hoods vary in design between individuals but share the common function of obscuring the wearer's eyes from their negotiating partner. Katniss owns a "bargaining hood" that is described as "especially in the Caribbean," suggesting regional variations in style.

Cat possesses a negotiating hood that is described as being in good condition and well-maintained, suggesting she takes her business dealings seriously despite her circumstances.

The Pine Cone Man's negotiating hood is particularly elaborate, made of deep red velvet with gold piping and interesting designs. The quality of his hood reflects both his wealth and his reputation as an expert negotiator.

Louise Guzman keeps a negotiating hood stored in a drawer, retrieving it when needed and tying it around his neck like a babushka head scarf rather than wearing it in the traditional manner. The Novelty Goods Shopkeeper adopts the same styling approach.

Vasso also uses a negotiating hood during dealings with Louise Guzman, following the expected cultural protocol.

Sucks owns what is considered an exceptionally effective negotiating hood—a zip-up hoodie that can be zipped all the way up to cover the entire face, resembling a venom mask. While praised for its functionality ("That's why my hood is the best"), this particular design has the unfortunate side effect of resembling clothing associated with Neo-Nazis, which triggers Safia's trauma related to genetic mutant collectors. Sucks's hood features a distinctive zipper that runs all the way up the front.

As part of a business transaction in Session 7, the Pine Cone Man provides a kitten-sized negotiating hood for Monster. This hood was originally designed for a monkey but has been appropriately sized for a kitten. The payment arrangement includes 45 gold plus the cat-sized negotiating hood.

History

Session 4

During negotiations over payment with Louise Guzman, the party's use of negotiating hoods became a focal point of the interaction. When Guzman donned his negotiating hood, retrieving it from a drawer and tying it around his neck, it was clarified that "He's not racist to put his on before you. This is culturally how negotiating is done, by the way. It's so you can't see the other person's eyes." Cat immediately understood the cultural protocol and put on a negotiating hood in response. Vasso also wore a negotiating hood during the business dealings.

Sucks's particular version of the negotiating hood—which zips completely over the face—became problematic during these negotiations. While Sucks considered it superior for its comprehensive coverage, the resemblance to Neo-Nazi attire caused distress to Safia, who has past trauma involving genetic mutant collectors. This incident revealed how the practical function of negotiating hoods could intersect with other cultural and personal sensitivities.

Session 7

Cat prepares to negotiate with the Pine Cone Man by putting on her negotiating hood as a signal that she is ready to conduct formal business. The Pine Cone Man responds positively to this gesture, treating it as the proper beginning of civilized negotiation, and dons his own significantly more ornate hood.

During their transaction, the Pine Cone Man agrees to provide Monster with a kitten-sized negotiating hood as part of the payment package, suggesting that even young or non-human members of society may need such garments to participate in formal business dealings. The hood provided for Monster had been originally crafted for a monkey.

Session 8

During the negotiation with the Dust Hat Merchant, Cat deployed the negotiating hood. The merchant immediately recognized the practice, responding with "Hate those things," indicating familiarity with the cultural custom.

Sucks raised his hood in support of Cat's negotiating stance. Vasso initially failed to participate in the coordinated display, walking up to the group and putting on a hood belatedly, expressing discomfort: "Yeah, but like, I don't know. I didn't do it proper."

Sucks then pulled a second hood, proceeding to slowly zip up his distinctive front-zippered hood while maintaining eye contact with the merchant.