Dora
It was early afternoon and Tomura was going to spar and chill with him. It seemed interesting to help spar Tomura since he lacked most skills in it. He felt jt was a good skill to teach his friend especially if he couldn't save himself at all if that happened. He gives a soft sigh as he waits for his friend to show up. He prepared some tea and some salad and sandwiches for him. It looked good!
Milton
Tomura had now clued how he got roped into this, he didn't even know how to wield a sword properly let along fight with it. None the less, he arrived at the Crane embassy, and after a bit of confusion at the arrival of a Scorpion, when told he was here to visit Adohiro, was led to the area where the Daidoji was waiting. Tomura was wearing his mask on the upper part of his face today, sporting a simple crimson and black Hakama. He bowed when he saw Adohiro.

"Thank you for the invitation, Daidoji-san."
Dora
Adohiro somehow had roped his dead friend into this. He was a bit excited over it though. He did wonder if it was a good idea to do it but he guessed it didn't hurt to try. Once he saw his friend arrive he waved. "Hello, Bayushi-San." He smiled. "So want me to teach you the basics or do
Milton
"I'm honestly confused why you wished to do this," He shrugged, "But far be it from me to deny a friend." He walked over, "Let's start with the basics, I suppose... Am I supposed to wear protective gear or something?"
Dora
"It's good to learn some basic skills incase you can't rely on someone." He said. He heard his question as he shakes his head. "Well I guess if we're in a real fight, we'd want to wear protective gear. But we're not, so I guess we will be fine." He said. "So I guess I can teach you how to hold it and swing?"
Milton
"I suppose learning to hold it would be a start," He walked over next to Adohiro, "I was never taugh the martial arts, so to be honest I never recieved instruction on swordsmenship... To be honest I have never even ridden a horse, the majority of my education was more inclined to art, poetry, politics..." He looked at the practice swords with a look of confusion, "So... Here goes nothing I guess."
Dora
He heard he never did horseback riding which he was surprised over that. "Well that will be the next thing I'll teach you. I have my own horse I can let you ride. She has a good temperament for most people." He said. He would hand him a bokken over to him. "Okay, hold it like I'm holding mine." He said. "Make sure you hold it like this."
Milton
Tomura took it, gripping his hand around the handle in the way Adohiro instructed. "Ok..."
Dora
"Okay, swing it like this." He would make a swing. "Okay now try to swing it at me. I'll block of course but try to land a hit." He said. Adohiro thought he was ready to start. "If you've watched sparring, feel free to copy the moves you've seen."
Milton
Tomura nodded and made a swing, "Ok, not too difficult," He muttered, then turned to Adohiro and swung at him, attempting to hit him.
Dora
Adohiro of course blocked the moves. "Make sure to do some footwork to try and trick your opponent. You can also do feints." He said. "If we're in a real battle, you're gonna be dead meat pretty quickly."

"You need to strike more harshly."
Milton
"I'm trying," He said, hitting harder each time, at one point however he tried to make a feint and go for the Cranes legs, a cheap shot but hey, Scorpions play dirty, Tomura was still unused to the weight of the sword however, even if just for practice
Dora
The sword would hit his leg and he'd congratulate the scorpion. "That was a good move. I don't recommend doing it in spars since some might ban it. But a fight with bandits might help you survive minutes longer." He said. "I think having you practice more will help you."
Milton
"If I was ever in a position where I had to face bandits, I've failed as a politician," He laughed, "But... Politics can still be dangerous, never know when someone may find I'm too good at my job and want to end my life, I do have two Bushi from home, but I still lack a truely dedictate Yojimbo... I just don't trust anyone xompletely with my life yet I guess."
Dora
He gives a nod hearing his laugh as he wondered why he didn't have a protector. "Hmm maybe I can, Bayushi-san if you don't trust anyone?" He offered. "Only if you want though. I can definitely handle myself in a fight, depending how many there are I guess." He said shrugging.
Milton
Under his mask, Tomura raised a brow at that, "You'd be willing to protect a *Scorpion* Courtier... In all seriousness?" He asked, if the Crane really meant it... Well, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but at the same time... He was a Daidoji, he might just be doing this to report his actions... Wait, could this be why he meant to befriend him, was this all a ploy?
Dora
"Why not? We're friends." He pointed out. They had been getting along well and they were friends. Adohiro was also a mind of his own, he did things because he wanted to do them, not because others told him to.
Milton
"True," Tomura considered, "If your my Yojimbo, you'd be protecting me in my duties to the Scorpion... And honor bound to protect me," He looked at the Crane, really looked at him, as if anaylizing his potential, capabilties, risk vs reward, "Daidoji-san... Are you sure you can handle that task, that if their was a threat to my person, your positive that you would be able to defend me, and I think such an appointment would need to be approved by our Clan Ambassadors, yes?"
Dora
Adohiro gives a nod hearing he would need to protect him. He gives a a nod hearing him ask if he could defend him. "While I'm not a seasoned fighter, I can pack a punch. I even fended off some thieves who tried to rob me and another. I think I would be capable of defending you." He said. "An appointment? Sure. Would you need to ask your parents?" He asked.
Milton
Tomura chuckled, "No... It's an official position and thus approval of superiors, paperwork, Daidoji-san, I am honored by the offer, but I think perhaps it would not be for the best." He continued to chuckle as he walked over the lunches that the Crane had prepared, "But I have no doubt bandits and villains cower at the name of Daidoji Adohiro, who knows, I may be speaking to the future Emerald Champion."
Elizabeth
#


The echoing of a solid wooden cane across the floors rang out clearly during the conversation. "Daidoji Adohiro!"

The mouth of the elderly Crane woman, dressed in the softest and most luxurious of powder blue silks, made the motions of adding the appropriate honorific *-san*, but no sound came from her mouth. To her left and right were two impassive crags of samurai, armored and carrying their daisho ready. "My sweet boy, what did I *Tell you* About inviting samurai of other clans here, *To the revered halls of **Our Embassy***."

A carefully crafted sentence leaving her just out of breath. She paused to inhale before continuing. "Unannounced?"

Tottering up to the Scorpion, piercing and fiery eyes gleamed out of an aged, time-weary face that at first glance many would have put well-beyond overlooked from the game of courts and clans. "I am Doji Rika, Ambassador for the Crane in this city. You can call these two Hidari and Migi. Who are you, young man, that you can enter without warning or authorized invitation? It has made the servants have to rush to put on a pot of tea for you now, poor souls."

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Milton
Tomura winced under his mask, mentally berating himself, he was off the clock and accepted Adohiro's invitation, but he didn't consider Adohiro didn't inform *Anyone*, he bowed deeply.

"Please, accept my most sincere apologizes, Doji-sama," He began, not ending his bow, "I am Bayushi Tomura, Daidoji-san invited me for an afternoon of sparring and training, I had assumed he cleared such activities with the Crane, I had not come in my functions as courtier but as Daidoji-sans friend thus my mind made such a grievous slip, the fault is mine and I humbly beg your forgiveness." He said, face still facing the floor in bow. 
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Dora
Adohiro heard there would need to be paperwork and all of that. He gives a nod until he heard a slam. He heard his name be called out as he looked over at the elderly crane. He gives a quick bow hearing her state it. "Oh sorry, Doji-sama. He's my friend." He states. He saw his friend also looked surprised. He gives a bow. "Please don't blame my friend, Bayushi-San. He came here with good intentions, to learn how to protect himself. He doesn't know how to fight at all so I wanted to help." He said bowing.
Elizabeth
"Bayushi . . . Tomura-san, hm?" The old lady cocked her head, as if looking at an invisible shelf of scrolls and parchments. She placed a thoughtful hand on her chin. "I seem to recall that name from somewhere. Well, it is of little importance."

She did a little gesture with her hand and her two guards fell back a few paces. She neared the young Crane boy, crane tapping across the floor. "The fault is not yours, Tomura-san. As the Lady Doji herself said when showing us the proper etiquette: it is never the guest who errs, it is the host. Or, as the Unicorn put it: you cannot blame an unbroken horse for kicking a rider."

Reaching Adohiro, she reached up the top of her cane and rapped the boy twice directly between the eyes. "Any Crane samurai who properly passed his gempuku knows the basics of etiquette between clans. Sometimes it merely needs to be popped back into place."

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Milton
"I'm just a minor functionary," He said, rising from his bow, when Adohiro got tapped by the can he winced under the mask, "Daidoji-san was just mentioning how he was concerned for my safety hearing I have no Yojimbo, and offered himself to the task, while I am most grateful for his concern, I respectfully declined as I'm sure their are more important tasks that he could direct his energy towards." He said politely. "I must also admit my embarrassment, I've been given the role as the new representative to the Great Clans and was planning on making an appointment to meet you in a few days." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head
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Dora
Adohiro saw Lady Doji approach him and saw her hold the cane. It hurt a lot as he let out a gasp. He would rub his face. "Doji-Sama, sorry." He spoke. He cast a glance at his friend who mentioned he was helping him protect himself. Couldn't Lady Doji use her words and not hit him across the face?
Elizabeth
"An honest apology goes a long way. Of course I need remind you that such an offer to generously given between clans without first approaching both lords could be considered treason. To have friends is one matter. To pledge a blade to kill for them is quite another." She narrowed her eyes at the boy, then returned to a pleasant smile and patted him on the head. The sharp eyes flitted back to the Scorpion for a moment, then back to Adohiro. "Never you mind though dearie, you will not be needing to worry about these things much longer.

"Tomura-san, let us move forward with that meeting today. I am certain by the time you arrive at my meeting room—say, one hour's time—you will have discovered what sort of second impression you wish to provide." With that, the woman nodded to the Scorpion and Crane and tottered off. Her bodyguards stayed where they were, watching the two silently, nearly unblinking.

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Milton
"Well... That could have gone better." Tomura said as he rubbed the back of his head, "But what's done is done I suppose, really Daidoji-san, you didn't clear my visit with anyone?" He sighed
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Dora
Adohiro heard the old woman's wise words of being friends was one reason. He gives a glance over at him hearing he didn't need to worry about things. He soon heard Tomura once she left and he gives an apologetic smile. "Sorry, ToMura-San." He said. "I sort of forgot, I thought it would be okay since we are just sparring basically." He said.
Milton
"It's all good, no harm down really." He waved a hand in dismissal, "And besides, now I don't have to make an appointment with the ambassador, so some good things did come out from it, so thank you for the introduction to Doji-sama."
Dora
He gives a nod seeing he didn't seem too upset over it. He don't think he would be at all. He gives a nod hearing he got to have an appointment now to meet her. "So I guess you should get ready for the meeting?"
Milton
Tomura rubbed the back of his head. "Might just have to, sorry to cut this lesson short Daidoji-san, I'm sure under your tutelege I'll be able to fend off any attacker."
Dora
Adohiro gives a nod hearing they needed to cut the meeting short. "Okay next time you will train whenever we pick a time." He told him. "I guess you don't want to keep Doji-sama waiting." He said.