Elisabeth
Lady Sun's light was a routine blessing, to be delivered each morning to the wondrous people of Rokugan. It was a shame then that so many of those same people were often still asleep, missing such a miracle - if a routine one.

As fortune would have it, some samurai within the Mantis embassy were awoken by gentle taps upon their doors in the hour before dawn. The same demure young man repeated the same words, exactly as he'd been commanded to, "Esteemed samurai, I have a message from one Tsuruchi Choga-sama. He says that your presence is required in the gardens as soon you are able. Breakfast will be provided to you upon arrival."

The name might ring a bell as that of the instructor that Ambassador Mai requested, but he had not made it known to you that he had made it to the city, let alone the embassy.

As each of you would go about your morning rituals and ||presumably|| make your way to the gardens, it would be hard to ignore the small host of servants moving a table out and setting it with a small buffet of various sushi, rice, and fish - all seemingly **Very** Fresh - and piping hot tea.

One of the staff directs you to the table, which is currently devoid of the samurai who summoned you. "Please, Tsuruchi-sama wished me to urge you all to have your fill. He will be here shortly."

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Marilyn
_As lovely as the dawn and just as bright Kitsune Akari in all her curvaceous splendor was the first to arrive, one may think her and early riser but the truth was she had not slept the night before, having been 'out and about' in ways unseen by the masses, high up and out of sight on rooflines and awnings._

_Such In-nin stealth was little more then exercise, to insure she wouldn't loose her edge in what amounted to 'downtime'. Regardless the Akari of now looked freshly roused from restful sleep, even if she was slightly less so._

_Sitting as requested at the table she took the courtly amount of time to get herself settled in her full burnt orange kimono, before graciously accepting a cup of tea to politely occupy herself while she waisted for others to presumably join her._

_If nothing else the caffeination provided by the tea would allow her to shed the outward appearance of being wakeful for actually being so._ ||Acting 3||
Seth
If one was going to be meeting an esteemed sensei per *Their* Request, one must put in the effort to look their best for respect's sake. Sadao, when he arrived, looked not just handsome, but *Impeccable.* His hair was pulled up, pinned, and ribboned, cascading down his back in a smooth straight fall.

His make-up was subtle, but present. A paling of the face, a touch of shadow around the eyes, and just a hint of contour to pronounce his cheekbones and to impress his masculinity, for his style often bordered the line of androgyny.

His kimono was the embroidered teal of the Mantis colors, with the *Mon* Of the Yoritomo at the left breast. Dustings of blue and white in the images of crashing waves were sewn into the silk. His sleeves were together, hiding his hands as he made his way into the gardens. He bowed to those gathered - which at this moment only seemed to be a Kitsune he had not yet met, before taking a cushion to *Seiza* On and, per the sensei's invitation, helped himself to some tea.

He put this much work in because he wasn't coming to see somebody important, somebody important had called to see him. He wanted to give them the recognition they deserved. ||Etiquette 3||
Eugenia
Kitsune Tsuta was dressed as she often did, her usualy jade green haori and black hakama, tied around the waist with reddish brown cord. For those who had seen her before, they would notice her usual braids were gone, replaced with a decidedly shorter cut which went just above her chin. It was all kept out of her face by a black headband. A white rabbit followed closely behind her into the room. She made her way to the table, exclusively paying attention to the rice and vegetables without partaking in any fish.

She felt a bit uncertain about the invitation; after all, in her correspondence with her brother, she had been learning more about courtly manners and the social game of Rokugan. She had not yet had an opportunity to demonstrate her learning, but she felt confident in what she was learning all the same. Still, other perspectives helped with learning, and as far as duties she was asked to partake in went, this was hardly so bad.

She moved to pour herself a cup of tea.

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Elisabeth
The weight of the early hour could be felt as the samurai assembled and began to claim their fill of breakfast. In a matter of minutes, a new sound slowly cut through the din of mealtime noises. While the soft crunching of dew-laden grasses could've been attributed to any of the myriad servants among the embassy, the rhythmic thump alongside it could not be mistaken for such.

Passing into view between some of the larger, more obscuring foliage of the garden was a man of middle age. His short beard and wild, if bound back, hair gave the appearance of one who only tamed their appearance as much as propriety demanded of them. Similarly, his black kimono, adorned only with the mon of the Tsuruchi Bounty Hunters, had none of the vibrancy or extravagance one could expect from a courtly socialite or a younger, flashier samurai.

Upon seeing those gathered, he attempted an appropriate bow that was stifled somewhat by the state of his left leg. It bent towards the crowd at an unnatural angle, the result of his knee having been shattered long ago, and the bow was only passable by virtue of a gnarled, inartistic length of wood that he was using as a cane.

"Students." He spoke as he stiffly resumed his usual posture and began to come closer. "It is good to meet you finally. Ambassador Moshi-sama spoke well of each of you in her letters." He gingerly eased himself to a seated position and began arranging his plate from the dishes on offer.

"Tell me, has she given you any idea of what to expect from my tutelage?"

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Seth
It would be untoward to look up at all, let alone meet the gaze or keep an eye on the old wounded leg of the Tsuruchi that made his way in. 

Sadao kept his dark-eyed daze on his bowl, before taking a pickled vegetable of some kind, probably daikon, to much along with rice, fish and tea. There really was nothing like fish provided by the Mantis. 

He wasn't certain who among those gathered was the highest in status, so he elected to let another answer the question. Play by the rules until you know you don't have to.
Marilyn
_Akari was surprised to see a Tsuruchi was to be their mentor, and someone she did not at least know of to boot. His manor of hasted formality and unassuming robes made her think of a Ronin, if true to be so long in the tooth in a profession that claims the young like a Gashadokuro, was a testament to his skill._

_Not without pity Akari, went about pouring her mentor-to-be a cup of tea, following the rigid steps of the tea ceremony drilled into her by her mother whom was also Tsuruchi as Akari herself was and someways still is._ ||Emphases: Tea Ceremony (Etiquette)||

"We expect to be learned Sensei-Tsuruchi-san, as teacher it is for you decide the lessons there-in, is it not?" _Akari spoke, her sultry tone played down as a matter of respect to him._
Eugenia
Tsuta set her cup of tea down, bowing lowly to the older man. "Good day, Tsuruchi-sama. I am Kitsune Tsuta," She spoke, getting in to the usual introductions. "Our ambassador did mention that there were lessons concerning social maneuvering, as well as your letter. I'm certainly happy for the opportunity, however. My brother attended the Yoritomo Couriter School, and I've had the opportunity to learn from him. Getting to study from an even more experienced teacher is an honor."

She tried to ignore the bunny tugging on her Hakama, asking for attention.
Seth
It was when others had spoken, that Sadao would finally bow his head in a manner that would garner attention.

"This one is Yoritomo Sadao, a graduate of the Yoritomo courtier school. This one has not been informed as to the nature of Tsuruchi-sensei's visit, but his esteemed personage is welcomed and a blessing to those of us here this morning."

He was composed, polite, practiced. A testament to the work he put in to his dress, make-up and hair. Yet for the briefest moment his gaze fell on the bunny. 

Everybody loved fluffy bunnies.
Elisabeth
Choga gratefully accepted the tea poured by Akari. If anyone was lacking tea at this point or their cup had run low, he would pour for them while listening to the various replies - albeit asking them to deliver the cup to him so that he didn't have to rise again.

During the approach, the man hadn't seemed to pay the students all that much mind, but he focused intently on each of them as they said their piece.

"It is nice to meet you all. You are correct, Kitsune Akari-san, that I will be making such decisions. I only wondered what Moshi-sama had let slip. While Kitsune Tsuta-san is closest, her answer is some distance from the mark."

A brief pause occurred as he consumed a few pieces of fish. "I, Tsuruchu Choga, have spent much of my career as a yoriki to a Mantis clan magistrate. My talents were plied towards making myself able to fit in anywhere and among anyone. I am here to teach you the art of getting what you want through social deception."

His expression flat, he offered a question. "Why do you believe I would teach you these skills, besides that someone of prominence asked me to?"

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Eugenia
Tsuta did feel herself tense just slightly. She wasn't fool enough to think that courtiers did their business just through speaking the full, unvarnished truth. Still, it was a bit odd to her that he would be quite so open about trying to teach deception. Her mind cycled back to a previous mission she had undertaken; she was desperately hoping that was going to be a one off. She would serve the clan, certainly, but to be pigeonholed into dishonorable work was one of the last things she desired.

She would not give any insult to the instructor, though, even if she was starting to grow concerned ||Cool under pressure||. "I would imagine for the betterment of the clan. Given where we are, a direct approach isn't always feasible or desirable." She left it at that; a diplomatic response acknowledging the reality of the city while displaying loyalty to clan and kin.

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Seth
Sadao shut his eyes and set his teacup down with only the lightest sound of cup on saucer. He put his hands together, disappearing into his unified sleeves. He looked the picture of a contemplative noble, deep in the throes of introspection.

"The Mandate of Heaven establishes an order, one that all must follow, that all must walk. But does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker? It is the duty of the *Buke* To serve. We must be as steadfast as the mountain. As flexible as the bamboo in the wind. As adaptable as the flow of water from frozen mountaintop to the river just a *Li* Away." He was going somewhere with this, he had to be. 

"We are tasked to walk amongst all of society, from the unenviable *Burakumin* To, perhaps, in the presence of *Tenno,* Himself. We must, in our duties, be able to flow as the stream to meet and overcome any turn, dip, or dam. A samurai's greatest judge is themselves, but their greatest honor is to dutifully serve their lord however they require."

Then in a sudden flourish, he unfurled his sleeves, one hand unfolding a fan with a *Snap,* The other raising his teacup in a grand, overdramatic display akin to some sailors at port. He then laughed, a bright, cheerful, and strangely powerful sound. His tone was no longer subdued, full of inflection and a rough-around-the-edges coastal gravel to it. 

"In the end, it is the very thing Tsuruchi-sensei has stated. We do what we must as those of prominence have demanded!"

Maybe he could be good at *Kabuki.*

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Elisabeth
Choga chuckled to himself at Sadao's grandiose display. "A bit wordy, but thoughtfully put. And Kitsune Tsuta-san, you raise a good point about our local limitations. None of these are poor reasons, but..."

Trailing off, he took a long pull of his tea and set it back down before continuing.

"In my experience, the strongest wisdom is found in the shortest truths. I am here to teach you all because a cost in sweat is better than a cost in blood." As he spoke this, his gaze seemed particularly distant. "An ideal samurai is also a steward of their lord's resources, ensuring their assets are used efficiently and with minimal losses."

At that, he seemed to pull back into the present. In a moment of self awareness, his posture stiffened and a scowl flashed across his face. ||Investigation 4 or Courtier 3 to recognize that Choga is frustrated at his temporary lapse before he masters himself again; he is not frustrated with any of you.||

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Marilyn
Akari got a sense of something amiss in Choga-sensi's demeanor but he was too worn and rugged of temperament for her to pin exactly what it was she noticed. ||Courtier 2 :(||

Talk of 'dishonorable' work made the kunoichi half of her persona chuckle internally, thought outwardly her courtier persona kept a straight face, feigning just enough surprise at the mention of tasks befitting wako then bushi, and the implications of them. ||Acting 3||

"Bushi do as our master requires, to be Samurai is to be one who serves. If such is the need of our master such is our duty to see done what must." _She replied._
Seth
Sadao folded his hands across his lap, not hiding his pride for a brief moment. "Of course it was wordy. Our foothold in the courts needs to be forced, and to distract the ears that appreciate pretty words while we get other business done..." He let the implication sit.

Unlike the others, he seemed content to use his manners and sense of personality as a tool. After Choga straightened, he did the same, his *On* Returning in a practiced set of his face. "This one is ready and eager to receive Tsuruchi-sensei's wisdom."
Eugenia
Tsuta resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She didn't think even her brother was quite so wordy. Still, if he was impressing the teacher, that was only going to be better for them all in the long run. 

The shift in demeanor, however, certainly didn't escape Tsuta's notice ||Courtier 5||. The statement on its own was nothing controversial. Samurai who were wasteful of their lords' resources either didn't stick around for long, or their lords didn't. Something about that seemed to strike a chord with him, though. Tsuta would have to make a mental note of that going forward. For now, though, it definitely wouldn't make a good impression to try to bring it up and drag it out in front of everyone else.

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Elisabeth
As he finished recomposing himself, he nodded, acknowledging the simple truth of Akari's words before replying to Sadao.

"Then you shall have it... After breakfast concludes." He gestured to the spread before them. "Please, all of you have your fill. Make sure not to overeat. I may have an assignment after we talk theory and it would be a shame to be drowsy on your feet in public."

The sensei grew quiet and stayed so through the rest of the meal, content to let the others idly chat around him. Some minutes after everyone had seemingly had enough, he managed to roughly rise. "Come. There is too much garden to stay here all day."

He assumed a glacial pace as he wandered the grounds, seemingly without much plan or thought. Not long into it, he spoke up. "Our first lesson is recognizing how to manipulate a mark. Everyone, samurai or otherwise, has something that can be used to steer them. My peers among the bounty hunters have a handy acronym we use to keep these in mind."

He paused his own explanation briefly, stopping to smell one of the flowers on display. "MICE." Gently, he tapped the petals as though counting along. "Money, Ideology, Coercion, and Ego. Each tactic comes with its own risks and considerations, but all have their time and place."

"Which of these do you imagine apply to your local Thunder Guard?" He turned to face the group. "You may speak freely, with no fear of offense."

The Thunder Guard was loyal to the city and, as it currently stood, the Imperial administration. Were they having this talk beyond embassy bounds, it could be exceedingly dangerous.

But they weren't and he wished to make that exceedingly clear.

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Seth
"For the Thunder Guard?" Asked Sadao, who was still new, and only running off of presuppositions and his own ideas. "If I am to understand those who work in Scorpion lands and under Imperial personages, it would be Ideology and Coercion more than most. There is little time for ego when you have the Shosuro and the Otomo breathing down your neck, and yet, your needs will be met, so little requirement for money."

Then he shrugged. "But I admit this is only a guess."
Eugenia
"Nah... That's exactly why money is the motivator there," She replied. Her tone was perhaps a bit more straightforward than it was normally. She still couldn't quite decide whether they were being asked to do the work of shinobi or courtiers. She was at the very least willing to see where things were going to go.

"You said it yourself. The prestigious families around here are expecting to keep a tight lid on them, and they're supposed to be representing them. They have authority, sure. At the same time, we know a lot of business is expected to pay a bit extra to them; something someone in that position isn't supposed to be seeking out. And we know with those high standards, they're supposed to take their status as enough. But it isn't for a lot of them. That's why it'll be money that motivates them."

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Elisabeth
"Spot-on, Kitsune Tsuta-san." He tipped his head in acknowledgement. "It is an open secret that the Thunder Guard relishes bribes and kickbacks. While the position is prestigious, at least on paper, the stipends provided aren't sufficient to take advantage of many of the luxuries available in a city like this. By skimming off the top, they make their work easier and their time off more... Memorable."

He spoke calmly and deliberately, as though he couldn't be bothered to have an emotional standpoint on the topic. Years of being in the field in similar circumstances had taken their toll.

"Ego is also involved, somewhat, because they have not been historically held to the standards of their post. Now they think they can get away with nearly anything - and they aren't wrong. In place of attentive supervision, they have become their own masters. If you challenge that power or pose a meaningful threat of bringing the Governor's eyes down upon them, they will react in the span of a heartbeat."

He paused a beat for emphasis before continuing. "Knowing these motivations and the place they have carved out for themselves is important. They can be used as levers with which to steer their behavior."

Abruptly, he switched topics. "For example, you can learn much by being perceived as a friend. How might you leverage this knowledge to cultivate useful contacts inside the Thunder Guard?"

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Marilyn
Akari had kept quiet since departing the feast, she hadn't eaten much as the diet of a shinobi was surprisingly strict to avoid 'unwanted odors'.

As Choga-sensi's posed a query she chuckled to herself, hiding it with the ornate fan she was using to keep cool, her mother had taught her near the same principle in her training, save there was a fifth to the acronym; Seduction.

M.I.C.E.S. Was a core part of Kunoichi training as to manipulate another was to understand how to avoid such yourself, and people were far more malleable then they'd admit, especially in the heat of passion.

"They wish to truly experience the city, do they not Choga-sensi? Why not cut out the middle man and simply give them an experience they'll never forget... Personally." She said with a sultry giggle making it obvious to all but the most chaste or dull _exactly_ what she meant.
Eugenia
"There's some value in that, Kitsune-san," She replied, glancing to her clanmate. While she hated to admit it, that approach had served her rather well in a recent encounter with a certain woman from a minor clan. It was not a tactic she intended on employing outside of very specific circumstances, but it was good to be aware of what tools one had at their disposal in a pinch.

She then returned her attention to Choga, perhaps feeling a bit more confident after having answered the first question well. "As for cultivating the idea that we're friends... Well, if we're building on the money discussion, perhaps making the delivery of 'contributions' from our affiliated businesses ourselves. The occasional extra gift making its way to the right people within the guard. After all, if you want to tame an animal, giving treats is always a good start, right?"

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Seth
Sadao clearly did not have the lived experience that the others may have, and bowed his head, taking in the wisdom of the others. He did admit he was still new here, and was guessing.

"Being perceived as a friend to the Thunder Guard as a Mantis has a number of avenues of influence. We can get that which many mainlanders cannot, or have not, dreamt of beyond stories of their betters indulging in them. Samurai are people, and people are fallible. Discover what they enjoy, whether at a sake house, sumotori match, or other such frivolities. To smooth access to them, or encourage more enjoyable experiences for them, can encourage their favor, if not their loyalty. We have the means and the access."
Elisabeth
Choga cleared his throat upon hearing Akari's proposed tactic, but waited until everyone had finished before speaking up. "Some Fortune must watch over me to have provided such a crop of students. You might be surprised how resilient some can be to this sort of talk, but you lot have taken to it rather well so far. Good."

A grunt of pleased acknowledgement later, he began making his way through the garden again, trusting you to follow. "It is important to know your strengths, as Yoritomo-san's answer suggests, as well as to play to your target's weaknesses per the observations of the Kitsune among us. I approve."

"But I must advise caution regarding more... Intimate maneuvers, Kitsune Akari-san. They can be just as effective as other methods, if not moreso in favorable conditions, but it happens all too often that one side or the other becomes... Inconveniently attached. Tread lightly."

His feet stopped gaining ground as he arrived before the embassy's shrine, soon to be more impressive once Lady Sun crested over the horizon and shone her approval upon it. Instruction was briefly interrupted as he bowed towards the shrine as deeply as his condition would allow. Then he continued.

"As such adept students, I assume none of you will have any issue answering my next question. What **Is** Honor to you?" Turning from the shrine, he levelled a thoughtful gaze upon those assembled.



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Marilyn
Akari sensed that the word honor held a special significance to Choga-sensi beyond merely what it meant to those who serve such as Samurai. Still his words betrayed admiration of those he spoke in the capacity of mentor, a smile crept onto her stained lips for she intended to excel in whatever trials he would lay before them. ||Weakness: Overconfident||

"Duty, Choga-sensi. Without duty there is no honor, without honor there is no service, without service we Bushi are nothing." She spoke, fanning herself ever so much to bring attention to her a tactic she often used to keep a mark's eyes on the prize, assuming her own 'prizes' weren't the focal point already.

Though others here may shy away from such Akari spoke true when she said Duty was everything, for in any form be it Bushi, Shimobi, or other there was nothing she was unwilling to do, no sin beyond contemplation, no act to craven or dishonorable it meant furthering the cause of the Mantis.

Such was the way of Shinobi, Those Who Endure.
Eugenia
If the question being asked of her and the implications ||Courtier 5|| didn't raise any alarm bells, her fellow Kitsune's decidedly Scorpion-like answer certainly did.

There was no denying it now. 

The one mission to deal with the Otter wasn't going to be a one off.

Tsuta couldn't claim that she had the most orthodox interpretation of Bushido and honor. It was in her family's nature, after all, to hold nature and the other creatures which occupied it in higher regard than most. Her ranger training did instill in her the importance of discretion, but that was a different matter than the work being hinted at. Even her usual cool, detached nature would be unable to completely hide the discomfort that was growing with in her.

She took a moment before answering, steadying herself.

"Honor is a set of principles by which we should all live, and that makes us and the world we live in better. It respects that the world works best with ordered, and us all fulfilling our roles."

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Elisabeth
Akari's words, in particular, seemed to frustrate the previously placid man. "If Duty is all that honor is, you mean to say that the other tenets of Bushido are merely pen upon paper - no bearing beyond that of the page itself?" He spoke sternly, his voice carrying a firmness it had lacked previously. "To treat one tenet so is to see the forest without acknowledging the trees."

He huffed "Our clan is young, but surely my fellow sensei are better than this..." His words trailed off.

Holding a hand up to temporarily forestall further talk, he spent a long minute with his eyes closed as he sought to calm himself.

There was never an apology, only his words upon opening his eyes. "To me, honor is the weight of righteous action. It is stoked or stamped out by one's adherence to bushido. However, just as a samurai cannot be **Only** One thing-" His eyes cut briefly to Akari, "-it is horribly impractical to be all things at all times."

"If our world is an ocean, Bushido is the vessel we use to stay afloat as we sail its waters. Currents change, winds shift, and you will capsize if you fail to use the parts of Bushido that the situation demands."

"Honor is knowing that you used the right tools at the right time."

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Seth
Sadao was quiet, his eyes shut as his mind worked. Perhaps he thought overlong on the question, but such was the way of philosophy. Finally he spoke, his voice low but clear.

"In keeping with the traditions of the Yoritomo, this one perceives honor as a scale that weighs a man against the world. The evils in it - desire, fear, regret - begin to lay upon one side like so many stones. The samurai holds the burden in service, and if their honor is strong, they can weather the weight. Yet we are merely men, and sometimes falter against the weight."

"One must be assured that their actions are righteous. If given from a higher authority, there is no doubt that such things are true in the moment. One must be brave but not foolhardy, to consider not just themselves but the world and the others around them, from their betters all the way down to the *Hinin.* Through it, they must be true to themselves. Sincerity is the greatest tool to hold that scale, for if a samurai believes in what they do and that it is right, then it is right, even if others may say differently. The greatest judge of that scale is the samurai that stands upon it."

Of course it was uncouth to use such merchant's terms as scales in polite company, but Sadao felt the analogy stood.
Eugenia
For now, Tsuta would settle for being relieved that her answer hadn't provoked the sensei's ire. She was willing to cling on to any positive that she could get. She did make note, however, of how Sadao had waited to hear the sensei's explanation before answering; a rather clever approach. It gave her something to focus on rather than the uncomfortable realization of what these lessons were about, and what it possibly meant for the kind of work she would be assigned in the future. As no new question had been asked, she decided to stick with remaining silent for now, just listening to the sensei and the others.

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Elisabeth
Had it not been clear that Sadao's delay was from giving the question serious thought, he might have found himself caught up in further remarks from their instructor. Instead, it appeared to mollify him somewhat.

"It pleases me to note that you and Kitsune Tsuta-san have given this more consideration. All of us, myself included, still have much time left in which to grow and build upon our perceptions of the world. Perceptions that, quite often, are more immediately impactful than the truth of the matter."

At this moment, as though planned for in advance, the early morning rays began to cast from far over the horizon. The shrine, built with this time of day in mind, cast myriad reflections and almost seemed to glow softly under Lady Sun's gaze.

"People, places, ideas... They all are often more than we actually realize." He pressed on, gesturing to the shrine behind him. "To those who know how to find truth, this is a boon. To those who don't... Appearances can be very deceiving. How you choose to conduct yourself or even dress yourself is no different." He paused for emphasis. "Come closer, all of you."

In a conspiratorial whisper, Choga continued. "I have an assignment for you all with the Ambassador's blessing. Use it to practice the skills I have started to teach you this day. And believe me, I will know if you don't." His expression had hardened over the last few moments. "One of our embassy's ashigaru, Kuro, has committed an offense against us and does not suspect we are aware. Visit the Red Lantern and return with the truth of what he has done. And do not worry - I have made arrangements to ensure he is caught and we are free from the danger of his actions, regardless of whether you succeed today. Take this chance to learn with minimal risk at play."

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Eugenia
Well now, this assignment wasn't quite so bad. 

It was easy to get behind going after a traitorous Ashigaru. The matter was also one more of investigation and discovery rather than any sort of dishonorable work. In addition, as much as the lesson was orchestrated, there might be value in looking at what he did and why, so that the lesson could be learned in dealing with other Ashigaru.

"It will be done, Tsuruchi-sensei," She spoke, bowing towards him. She then motioned to the others. "Right. We getting a move on, then?"

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Seth
The first thoughts that crossed Sadao's mind were questioning the value in sending so many samurai after a single ashigaru, but then, this was a lesson. Satisfied in that wisdom, and knowing that an ashigaru may well be pliable in the face of... Numerous avenues, Sadao folded his hands in his lap and bowed his head foreward in assent.

"Hai," Was his quiet, composed response.
Elisabeth
Choga shifted his weight and thumped the end of his cane on the ground as if to terminate their gathering. "I look forward to seeing what you are capable of, students. May Lady Sun guide the worthy to glory. Return here when you are satisfied with what you have uncovered or when dusk approaches - whichever comes first."

The weathered man began to head back into the embassy proper so as not to delay his pupils with such trivialities as delivering their own formal goodbyes.

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