Gail
It was still dark when Umeo woke up that morning. He took advantage of the early hour to make his way down to the kitchens of Benten's Tea Garden, hoping to convince the servants doing the morning prep work to arrange some cold rice doused in sesame oil. Combined with a few large cups of water and a dessert of dried meats, that provided the most traditional Crab Hangover Cure. Staggering back up the stairs, he ignored the knowing looks of the staff as he leaned too needfully on the shoddy walking stick. In his room, he took his medicine and gathered his wits.

And so, as the early rays of sunshine brightened the sky, the new Crab Ambassador reported to his single most pressing duty. Solving Problems. Standing outside the doors of the Ide Residence, the athletic courtier had pinned his hair into a severe bun. His kimono was a heavy blue brocaded silk. The only decorations were the Mons of the Yasuki and Crab, subtly embroidered shades darker than the surrounding fabric. Most public appearances saw the man wearing enough jewelry for the cumulative jade to be effectively protective, but he was equally unadorned today. His attire would have been unseasonably warm later in the day, but it was comfortable enough in the brisk morning air of late Spring. If the weighty clothes felt enough like armor to brace his resolve, then the walking stick he used as a crutch gave his Crab Hands a comforting handle to wrap around.

After being stopped by the Unicorn's guards, he told them, "I am Yasuki Umeo. I am here to speak to the Ambassador at her earliest convenience. She is not expecting me, so I am prepared to wait until the end of the day if necessary."
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Rodney
Flanked by two ashigaru and halted from reaching farther than the outer ring of yurts by a second pair of guards, the lead woman listened to the Crab's request. She turned to her companion and began to speak to each other in Mekhem.

*No appointment but not a Scorpion. No papers to produce.*

*He's a Crab. Good folk but I hear they dont know how to write.*

*Or he's a Scorpion in disguise.*

Their conversation in the foreign tongue was interrupted by the heavy footfalls of a horse. Returning from her morning ride—a new regular activity she had begun recently—strode in the Unicorn Ambassador. Seated atop Wakumi, she did not cut the figure of a seasoned courtier. Without makeup, hair loosely tied into a single long braid, she looked more alike one of the peasant soldiers loosely surrounding the Yasuki than a painted-faced politician.

Still, she remained an imposing figure, her very countenance in her light riding leathers commanding the respect of a military leader fitting her station. One of the rearguard hurried to Kazuko, whispering to her. A second horse had joined now, smaller but still of gaijin stock, with the far less intimidating presence of the Ambassador's interpreter visible.

As the two dismounted and other attendants began to scurry to tend to the horses, Utaku Kazuko passed a curious look over Umeo's arrival. After a moment's observation, she bowed curtly but respectfully. "Yasuki-san, you seem to make a habit of appearing here unannounced. Do not take my guards' acts negatively; security is becoming a far more paramount issue than before. I was about to enjoy my morning meal. Do you wish to join? I am afraid I do not have much other time available today."

Umeo had visited before and helped ease her concerns with the political quagmire that had been the days leading to the Mantis Ambassador's invitation for dinner. While she certainly had . . . Reservations regarding the current state of the Unicorn's second-oldest Rokugani ally, this man himself proved to be an asset in the past. She was curious what brought him to the residence so early, and was willing to hear him out.

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Gail
He had met the powerful ambassador before and knew to listen for the voice of the translator behind her. Yasuki Umeo returned the warlord's bow, "Ah, my apologies. You are correct. I hope you will forgive my impertinence. I hoped to have a brief conversation and felt that the most direct path would be to wait patiently for you to have a moment." 

The Crab gestured to the guards that had stopped him before continuing, "An alert guard is a well-trained guard. Caution saves more lives than Courtesy... And answering their questions is a natural consequence of dropping in unannounced. There is nothing negative to take, I assure you."

"I would appreciate it if you allowed me to join your meal, Ambassador Utaku-sama." The strongly built merchant, still smaller than the imposing Utaku Kazuko, would allow her to lead the way. After all, the things he had to say were not fit for standing around outside. 

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Rodney
"Very well." Kazuko led the way to her manse, Fuyuko moving off to the servant's entrance to inform the staff of their guest. The ashigaru dispersed back to their posts, occasionally turning a glance back to watch the Crab.

The interior of the Ambassador's personal residence was unsurprisingly simple. The Utaku were not known for their ostentatious decor, and Kazuko was no different. Elaborately patterned rugs in muted colors covered the floors, with the occasional wooden sculpture of obvious skill scattered through the place.

Kazuko turned and brought her guest into the room used for dining, a round table with four chairs set around it. As she seated herself, Fuyuko would reappear with a member of the cooking staff, who brought with him several dishes. Dried and fresh fruits; a sliced round object resembling at first glance a drier, airier, larger mochi; and a bowl of a clotted off-white liquid. Two cups of warm black tea and a pot to refill it were also provided. In addition to chopsticks, utensils resembling *Renge* Were given to each, while a larger one was placed in the liquid. "Welcome back, Даргач."

Kazuko nodded politely at the server, dismissing him back to the kitchens for now. After she collected a variety of options from the spread onto her own plate, she turned her attention back to the Crab. "Now, what is it you wish to discuss?"

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