James
It was Himiko entering the embassy without struggle. As if they had known she'd show up here sooner or later. No protest. Lord if she were an assassin many would've died with ease. But she was not. Perhaps they read like she could. 

A servant had guided her through the hallways into the library. The one that had been public of course. It was none of her business to scroll through war plans and other things. She just demanded answers. Answers about why she no longer remembered. She remembered running. It felt like she was a defector in all ways but a war has two sides right? She scoffed. She seemed friendly enough in her shrine maiden attire. Perhaps that was the cause they had let her in. But everything had screamed lion about her so obviously. It had not mattered. Time to find answers. 

The young lion started to look through the sides of the books and scrolls. Quickly screening them. Nothing had called her out yet. Nothing was there. 

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Michael
Libraries are places where Terumi rarely finds himself in but here he was, idle curiosity guiding his steps, trying to familiarize himself with one of the Phoenix's holdings in the City of Lies. As the young bushi stepped inside, he carefully looked around, sating his curious mind as he took in the quiet but familiar sight. It was modest compared to the one in Ayako lands. Some Isawas have ones bigger than this one in their compounds.

Then his gaze fixed upon a sight most unusual. A blonde scouring the books and scrolls, clearly looking for something.

Terumi blinked and then he glided towards a nearby _chabudai_ for reading and quietly sat, patiently observing the blonde woman.

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James
Crap. A Phoenix. She had felt his presence the moment he stepped in. He had not suspected her yet otherwise the normally pacifist phoenix would at least speak up about situations like these. The 5 feet tall girl remained silently scrolling through the books. Nothing. The short tempered child silently sighed before continuing this dreading task. She wanted answers but to pray towards the kami in front of a phoenix in their library was just outright strange.

She'd push back the gigantic mane of blonde hairs, which was past her body length, she had not tended to it and therefore it had dragged over the floors a bit. She would shoot a glance at the Shiba observing her. His eyes were burning in the back of her head and she wished to speak up. But she had not. Instead she grabbed a random book. One about spells. Placed it down on the table next to his. Revealing the deep scarring all over her face and body. Not to mention her hetrochromic eyes. Himiko was the embodiment of Gajin and being clearly bad fortune. The blue and gold eyes shot a glance at him before she nodded her head slightly to acknowledge him. 

 Back to scrolling through the book of spells. Some of which she knew. Some of which she didnt. 

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Michael
The Phoenix observing her was clearly a taller individual. In contrast to her, he was a man of pale skin and long dark hair that nearly reaches his waist in length. His eyes were dark pools, unnerving in their serenity as he stared at her. If not for the telltale broadness of his shoulders and the way he carries himself, he might be mistaken for a woman. As she takes his appearance in, he does so in turn. Clearly a gaijin and with strange but alluring eyes of blue and gold.

How odd, this visitor was. How strange and unique. He has met many a gaijin during his _musha shugyo_ but never with eyes like hers.

Terumi was content with the silence, staring at her from behind in a seating position and a faint but polite smile upon his lips. If the visitor does not wish to speak, then he shall not break the quiet with words. When she nodded at him, he nodded politely in return, smile not moving from his face.

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James
Himiko had continued. His eyes kept burning. A wrong judgement. One she could use to her advantage. Everyone had judged poorly when meeting her. Based of her behaviour and looks. After all she simply looked like a gajin child dressing up as a shrine maiden. Her fingers went over the pages of the scrolls. Nothing. Only a fire spell she had known for ages. One that made her breathe fire. She put back the book. Scrolling over others. Then perhaps ask a phoenix. 

*"I assume you are not a librarian, but are you aware of any books about the magic of the phoenix clan?"* Himiko silently asked. She had sounded like a child as well. 

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Michael
Terumi regarded her with an unchanging look. His gaze was still unnerving but it was not unkind and the smile on his face has not left. He patiently thought about her question, taking a few seconds of contemplation. Several seconds, actually.

"I am not." He replied in a soft voice. "May I ask why you are looking for knowledge about the Phoenix's magic?"

Soft as his voice was, it also held no judgment. Only curiosity.

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James
Himiko decided it was time to introduce herself. She bowed down deeply. *"I am Kitsu Himiko. A shrine maiden assigned here. I am seeking for the magic of the phoenix that can teach me how to heal."* Himiko was not capable of lying. She was simply capable of leaving out details that gave away her true meaning. She was indeed looking for healing. Healing herself. Healing her mind. *"I did not find any in our own library and therefore I went here. A place with great knowledge of shugenja."* She smiled slightly. The two strands of hair in front of her face were fluffy braids, detailed with golden clips to keep them in place. 

*"I apologize for bothering you."* She stated. 

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Michael
"There is no need for apologies. You have not bothered me." 

Still smiling that faint but polite smile, the young man bowed as deep as she did.

"I am Shiba Terumi, a duelist." He said, introducing himself in return. "Unfortunately, I am not one of the shugenja of my clan and a newcomer besides. I won't be of much help in your search."

The Phoenix know much and continue to broaden that knowledge with every opportunity they can get but that is not Terumi's expertise and it will continue to be that way. He respects the powers of the Shugenja but that path is not for him.

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James
*"A duelist huh?"* It had at least sparked Himiko's interest. A conversation the both of them could have so her presence and his presence wouldn't be as uncomfortable as it had been right now. She would hold out her hands, both filled with blisters as a grand smirk grew upon her face. She had not minded the fact that he hadn't known shugenja things, easier to cover this up. 

*"I have been training with Akodo-sama and these results are painful, should they be?"* She smirked. *"It is an honor meeting you Shiba-sama."* 

The Kitsu continued to scroll through the book in the hopes she could find what she needed. *"I am no true swordsman like you, but I wish to at least understand your craft a tad bit more. Any advice for a newcomer?"* She smiled politely. Himiko was presenting herself as the ambassador although she had not stated it. Something about this Phoenix fella just brought out this behavior. 

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Michael
His eyes lowered towards her hand, quietly taking in what she meant for him to see. He was still smiling when his eyes met hers once again.

"The pain will pass as your skills broaden," He said. "And I assure you that the honor is mine, Kitsu-sama."

Once her name was uttered, Terumi was fully aware of her position. He did not want to earn the ire of his superiors as well. After all, he was a Shiba and not an Isawa. If there was a list for diplomatic blunders, he would not want to add his name to it.

"Advice?" He mused as he languidly stood, striding forth to accompany the Lion ambassador from a polite distance. "For a newcomer, I suggest decisiveness, Kitsu-sama. You will grow in skill and you will grow in strength, but what use are those when one cannot follow knowledge with action?"

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James
Himiko had raised her eyebrow to the in her eyes cryptic advice. After all she had little to no knowledge on how to even use a sword. She smiled politely. His smile became less unnerving to her. It was actually quite friendly. The golden and blue eye glanced towards him. 

*"So much like the knowledge of spellcraft? You seek the knowledge but without actually casting the spells the knowledge is useless?"* Himiko attempted to put this in her words. She came clean to her purpose here however. 

*"Much like I sought out books about spellcraft here? And like I will instead gain knowledge on swordsmanship instead?"* She would close the book and place it back into the shelf. 

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Michael
His smile became mirthful as he politely chuckled. Her eyes were quite striking. Beautiful, even. They were like gems and quite enchanting. He made sure not to gaze at them for too long. It would be impolite.

"Yes, Kitsu-sama." He said with a firm nod. "I have grown alongside many a shugenja. I have seen them perform great feats and cast fascinating spells but I have also seen them flounder and fail, just as I have seen many a bushi fail to implement their earned skills in duels."

Those without confidence and those easily shaken usually make for poor opponents. Terumi has always ended those battles as quick as he could, knowing that he would not truly enjoy it.

His serene eyes flicked towards the taller Lion's, considering her words.

"Perhaps if you have encountered another shugenja, Kitsu-sama, you might have found what you were looking for." He said, courteous but with a hint of amusement and apology. "Instead you have found this simple swordsman."

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James
*"Swordsmen are never simple from what my experience has taught me. Not that they are complex beings."* Himiko understood the slight amusement in his voice. So she continued. 

*"Swordsmen are dedicated, determined, strong and yet they owe this precision. It's admirable. Although I will not seek out that way as it will take my focus away from my duties as shugenja."* Himiko smiled. 

*"Answers I seek, I seek for reasons. Not finding them was never my full expectation."* Himiko traced one of her scars with her fingers. A habit she owed overtime. 

*'I do one day wish to learn the ways of the weapon good enough to fend for myself. I owe a set of Tessen if you are familiar with those."* Himiko remained smiling. Setting herself down around a table. Gesturing the Phoenix to join if he felt like it. 

*"If you don't mind I wish to receive some of your knowledge about swordsmanship. Perhaps I can understand my clanmates better. Appreciate them more."* 

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Michael
Her description of swordsmanship brought a happier smile to the young bushi's face. In his experience, shugenjas rarely acknowledge the skills of those who cannot speak with the kami. It was a pleasant breath of fresh air to have one speak highly of his kind.

"I have seen tessen and are curious of their use but, forgive me, I have dedicated my life to the way of the sword and little else." He said, though clearly unbothered by the admittance. "Perhaps one day I might take the use of the naginata like the rest of my family but for now I am but a humble practitioner of the katana."

The table was between them as he sat across from her.

"The Lion are warriors known far and wide, indeed." He mused, remembering his bout with a certain Ikoma. "Swordsmanship, as you know, is a very physical art. One must teach the body as well as the mind how to do certain things. The better your body is, the stronger you are."

Then, he smiled wider.

"But as you can see, I look slender. Frail, even. Skill cannot be substituted for strength but that is a thought that goes both ways. In my case, I use my skill to defeat more powerful foes. To me, the perfect fighter is someone who has honed their mind, body, and their souls to the very limits." 

He paused, a look of apology on his still-smiling face.

"Ah, forgive me, Kitsu-sama. It seems I have defaulted to philosophical meanderings. If you wish for me to show you more practical knowledge I can also show you but it must be done outside of this library."

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