Florence
Umeo's office in the main embassy was spotless but not grandly decorated. The desk was simple in its design. The polished dark panels were placed so that the wood grain lined up throughout the piece. The top of the desk held a precise grid of incoming and outgoing paperwork, meticulously sorted. There were maps hung on the walls. Some showed the Crab Clan's major trade routes, while others showed regions known for lawlessness or regular military skirmishes. 

The Crab bureaucrat was leaning heavily on an oak walking stick while inspecting one of those wall maps and clicking his tongue. He didn't know what was worse. The thought that there might be dark and forbidden magics going on under the Crab's noses for *Years* Or the fact that a Phoenix brought it to his attention. His mental notes were piling up, but he had to put a pin in it for now.

Now? Now, he was expecting a visitor. He shuffled slowly back to his desk to wait. A low table beside him held a small tea set with two empty cups. By now, a servant should have informed Kaiu Aida that his presence was requested in the Yasuki's office. 

Soon enough, the new Kaiu would arrive.

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Jessica
Kaiu was startled by the request as a servant brought him out of his concentration

He had been studying a scroll he had brought to the city himself. It was a copy of a friend's recent research publishing. The author of it was a pen pal of his from crane lands. The research was on the trigonometry inherent in Rokugan's traditional art of ikebana. Aida honestly found the material impractical and meaningless but he thought it would help him maintain his decorum in his new higher society environment. 

Aida is a bit shaken by the servants delivery of the summons as Aida wasn't sure what business he had with Umeo. 

Aida made his best attempt to keep his mind blank until he reached Uneo's office. He did not worry about the potential for the meeting being about something Aida did wrong. 

As Aida entered Umeo's office he gave a polite bow and quick smile and said "Yasuki-san I know we have met only in passing but it is great to see you. How can I be of service to you and the crab clan"
Florence
Yasuki Umeo straightened up from contemplating the maps as Kaiu Aida entered, the weight of his thoughts momentarily set aside for the task at hand. His face broke into a warm, welcoming smile and he respectfully returned the bow. "Kaiu Aida-san, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat," He gestured towards the cushion opposite his desk.

After he limped to his seat, Umeo poured tea for both of them with practiced ease. The steam from the cups rose gently, "There is much work to be done with the appraisal and renovation of the city's defenses and the integrity of certain structures within it. As you have been told, the Lion have extended their hand in partnership for these projects. While their prowess in siege warfare is renowned, the Crab's unparalleled skill in construction and fortification will ensure the success of this venture."

Umeo took a comforting sip of his tea, "I understand that this assignment may present new challenges, particularly in navigating the dynamics of inter-clan cooperation." He set his cup down, "I am here to support you, Kaiu Aida-san. Together, we will ensure that this project meets and exceeds expectations because a Crab is there. Let them be reminded of our excellence. The first of many meetings has been arranged; is there anything you want to know beforehand?"
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Jessica
"Honored Yasuki-sama I am grateful for the opportunity to work on such an important project. I have not been given a ton of information about what is required. Is there a particular section that is damaged and in need of repair or are we updating an outdated system. "

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Florence
The Crab merchant nodded before continuing, "Of course. There are several areas that have suffered damage and not just from battle. Many areas of the city have been negatively affected by the ravages of time and the pain of insufficient repair. Too much of this city is relying on a series of quick fixes stacked precariously on top of one another. As I understand it, most of the current security systems are to be maintained. Your contact with the Lion might have more information on how closely you have to cleave to the original layouts in your... Renovations."

Umeo took another sip of his tea, and gestured to the cup that the Kaiu had so far ignored, "It is a good tea, not one of those inferior leaves that one encounters so often away from home." The smile was polite. The pause was short. The Ambassador's assistant continued, "I have read that you enjoy puzzles. There may be a few projects in the works that might do well with an analytical mind capable of finding the nuances of construction required to house *Subtle passages* And *Convenient entrances.* Especially if that mind was attached to a samurai with access to inspect buildings for possible renovation." He gave Aida a meaningful look before continuing, "But really. Try the tea."
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Jessica
Aida took some of the tea contemplating Umeos words. Its true that Aida would be skilled at locating the kind of passages Umeo mentioned. It's easy really when architects rarely design gaps of space into their building plans for no reason. "I understand what you mean Umeo-sama this tea is quite pleasent and I'm sure that I would not find anything unbecoming of a samurai in such a line of work. " Aida would gesture heavily to imply his knowledge of an exit to Umeos office. Aida had found 1 or 2 since being here it came with the territory. "The world much more fascinating when viewed in through precise calculation"

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Florence
With a wry chuckle, the meticulous diplomat nodded his agreement, "And *Many* Would be surprised at how interesting things can become when you ask why." 

The rest of the meeting was perfunctory. Umeo had several of the *Precise* Maps of the city's defenses that Koyama had referenced earlier, and the two spent time discussing the values and costs of targeting different areas for rehabilitation. 

While these copies of the plans would stay here with the Ambassador, Umeo made sure to give the Kaiu Architect time to study them. The Yasuki was not going to send Aida in to meet with the Lion without arming him with as much knowledge as possible.

The beginning of a plan took shape. Only so many areas could be worked on at once, and one would have to be first. When Aida was finally dismissed, Umeo was confident that the young man would represent the Crab well.
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