Walter
*For those who frequented the City Hall, the papermites and handwringers, time spent in a waiting room while an official to be free to meet was time to gather thoughts and collect themselves. Valuable lessons could be learned in the elaborately decorated and refreshment-filled chamber, insights which made the hours pass by without them even noticing.

To those unused to the Imperial bureaucracy, it was as if Meido itself found a breach between the realms and leaked into Ningen-do. This was only compounded by the volume of personnel flitting in and out of the place in preparation for the Spring Festival.

Today, among the throngs were two Scorpion with a unique goal. Having pledged the clan's assistance following an incident involving the Dragon Clan, the two were now here to meet with Seppun Arata, Ryoko Owari's new Secretary of City Records under the Imperial Ministry of Territories. Hopefully by discovering who the building now known as the Dragon Embassy belonged to and what it was used for some light could be shed on the unfolding mystery.*

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Sonny
The little Scorpion approached the large building with a touch of dread in her heart. There were many things she loved, paperwork was not one of them. But with a lame arm this would be something useful she could still accomplish. 

She was carrying her swords, and a bundle of rice balls to snack on while she worked. Her black eyes cut to the person beside her and her cheeks puffed in a sigh. "Well, Soshi-san, the sooner we start the sooner we can finish. Let's go talk to an Imperial. With any luck he will be eager to show off his knowledge."

Approaching the servant outside of the Seppun's office, her companion in tow, Kaori flicked her hair back. "Good day. My name is Bayushi Kaori, and this is Soshi Kei. We are here for an audience with Seppun Arata -sama. I believe the office is expecting us?" 

She'd sent a letter the day before, politely sending her greetings and requesting a moment of the Seppun's precious time—she'd learned long ago that Imperials loved nothing so much as a bit of brown-nosing—so hopefull she would not have to wait more than an hour or so. She was dressed in her best informal robes, a bit more conservatively closed than usual, and her bare face was open and friendly. 

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Ellen
The young man dressed in all clean, sharp clothes of varying shades of grey and black with simple mons stitched in scorpion red, walked along side the his clanswoman. His Kitsune green eyes look to her when she speaks, a flicker of amusement shining through.

"I'm sure they would be more than willing to impress upon us the importance of history and record keeping. Loath it would be for even the slightest bit of information to escape an imperials notice! Disgraceful even." His voice calm and soft as a playful wind. Kei fell into step at an appropriate distance half a step behind Kaori and waited patiently for the servant to grant them entry. 

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Walter
"Hmm. Seppun-sama did mention an item on his schedule *Tomorrow*, but I am afraid he neglected to inform me of a discourse with the Scorpion. A thousand apologies, samurai-samas, I will inform him immediately." The servant bowed low, then she scurried off into the bowels of the building.

Ten long minutes passed before she returned, bowing low again. "If you would please follow me, Seppun-sama has graciously arranged his schedule to see you."

The servant led them to a small but well-furnished office. The walls were decorated with banners of the Imperial Guard, a daisho and armor set were proudly displayed at the far side of the room. An older man leaned against a door frame on the opposite side of the room from where the two samurai entered, talking to a man holding an armful of scrolls. Catching sight of the newcomers, he nodded dismissively at the center of his current conversation, then turned to bow stiffly—not out of formality, but perhaps due to age or some other ailment.

"Greetings, Scorpion-sans, please come in and sit. Make yourself at home. Always a pleasure to meet with those who took such good care of this city for so long." He picked up the cane resting against the wall before limping towards his desk. Slowly sitting himself down, he gestured for the two to join him.

He folded his hands before him, the Seppun family mon proudly on display on a ring wrapped around his left ring finger. "Get us some tea, Itsuyo. Now, what can I help you two young samurai with? Marriage paperwork perhaps?"

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Sonny
The little warrior bowed and hooded her eyes demurely as she addressed the imperial. "You are very generous, Seppun-sama, but I am afraid that you will not be witnessing the union of happy souls today. No, we are here on the merest of business, a little research for a project we have taken up on behalf of our revered northern clan the Dragon." 

She didn't say more about the business, instead pointing out the armor with a tilt of her head. "I had not thought to see such martial trappings in a hall of knowledge but I should have expected nothing less. My father said that the mind is a sword, that must be honed with the same care and trained with the same discipline. Perhaps you could recommend a particular book of meditations for a young warrior who aspires to be of even greater service to her lord?" 

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Ellen
Soshi carefully gave the appropriate bow of greeting. His ears tinge a little at the mention of marriage though he allowed Kaori to take the lead in the talking before he spoke his own.

"Yes apologies Seppun-sama, as I am already betrothed." Was his softly spoken answer before his own eyes scan the surroundings and taking note of what his fellow scorpion had seen. In this guise he did his best to intake everything else in the area they had been brought to, keeping his gaze that was visible over his mask neutral.

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Walter
The elderly man's eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as he responded to the Scorpion woman. "But of course, Bayushi-san. There is a fascinating series of meditative poems which were part of an exchange between a member of the Elemental Legions and a Sword Saint. The entire dialogue itself is a fascinating study of techniques and kenjutsu philosophy, but the poems—though very different in style and voice—I personally believed to be the greatest accompaniments to my morning kata. Before I had to retire from the Imperial Legion of course.

"But you aren't here to listen to an old man talk about his past accomplishments." Arata chuckled heartily, before he returned to the business at hand. "Helping the Dragon, eh? Cannot say it surprises me that they decided not to show up themselves. Tell me, how can I help your project?"

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Sonny
"A small thing of little interest to the Scorpion beyond the fulfillment of our agreement," Kaori was clearly more interested in the poems. "The ownership records and history of the building that now houses the Dragon embassy. Apparently they are having some issues with old problems resurfacing. Maybe they want to track down a laborer or perhaps they wish to bring some sort of complaint to the scions of the original architect." She giggled. "Can you imagine? And yet not out of the realm of possibility I have heard of the mountain clan doing stranger things. But maybe it will be fun to watch their processes. Shall I return with the full story if it proves interesting, Seppun-sama?"

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Walter
"Oh, the Embassy! Very interesting decision to give them that old place. My wife says whoever decided to give them that must have had a serious grudge." The Seppun almost seemed to be ready to act on the query, before pausing. "Of course, I am going to need to see some sort of official request from the Dragon Ambassador which authorizes your aid in this matter. I cannot go providing information to anyone who asks for it, even the city's former stewards."

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Sonny
"I thought pretty samurai-ko didn't need their papers checked," Kaori pouted dramatically, her fan rising to cover her scar. "But if Seppun-sama insists..." She produced the scroll with a flourish. "I am certain all is in order. If not, well, I cannot say this trip has entirely been a waste already. As I have made a new acquaintance who is far more interesting than any Dragon notions of excitement."

She flicked back her hair and peered over at the armor, giving the Seppun ample time and room to examine the document. After all, she *Was* A Scorpion, and forgery was not the worst crime she'd ever committed. 

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Walter
"Twenty years ago that may just have worked on me, young lady." The elderly man chuckled as he took the papers and began to study them over, nodding slowly as he read them through.

The armor was not merely a display piece. Marked repairs where the color did not quite match, dents in the helmet that while hammered back out clearly could not be completely removed. The Seppun's life was most likely etched into this set, one spent at the front lines rather than behind a desk.

"Well, everything looks to be in order. Let me have someone retrieve our records. "Isamu, is Setsuo back yet?"

"No, Seppun-sama."

"Curses. That boy is our best archivist. Very well. Have Kenta and Mari collect every record we have on the current Dragon Embassy."

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Sonny
"I prefer the approval of men to the fawning of boys," Kaori said cheerfully as she peered at the undeniable pattern of a tetsubo's studs, even after repairs. The old Seppun must have been a mighty warrior indeed. "So then, at the risk of bandying gossip, what *Does* The wife say of the Dragon Embassy? I find that there is as much wisdom in a woman's words as is ever written down. And if she married you she must be wise indeed."

She flicked back her hair, her tone still merry and bright, wondering if this old gentleman had any sons or daughters half so interesting. 

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Walter
"She says many things, most of which are not able to be repeated in front of polite company." Arata sighed softly as he spoke, shifting his weight with a brief wince of pain. "Of course I would expect nothing less of her. She holds the clan of her birth very dearly; and let me tell you—Mirumoto blood does not thin with age. Suffice it to say she feels the choice of location to be a statement that the, *Erm*, providers of the location do not want the presence of the Dragon. Either that or it is some complex and sordid plot with Dragon embarrassment at its end."

Two servants arrived with handfuls of scrolls. Arata beckoned them to enter, and they deposited the findings on his desk before silently moving out. "But enough on such dour matters. Here we are. My apologies if there is anything missing. Kenta and Mari are good, but my most thorough archivist has taken a leave of absence due to illness."

*The documents provided are mostly titles of ownership for the building. Arata quickly organizes them by age, providing a rough timeline of who has held possession of the building. Constructed during the rebuilding of the Noble Quarter in the late 7th century, the building first belonged as the residence of a moderately wealthy Yogo family. However, within the span of a century the family appeared to have fallen on hard times, and the place was sold as a storage room for Shosuro Megumi, the niece of the then-ruling Governor. From there it would transfer hands between several families, but would always find its way back to someone of Megumi's line.

It seemed a procedure for moving goods and services under the radar of "Refined society." There was probably no opium or terribly illicit goods flowing through the building, more likely a way to skim off from normal trade routes to enrich the lives of Megumi's family. Typical business among the rich and powerful within the City of Lies.

On the 12th Day of the Month of the Rat, 1094, the final transfer of ownership took place. An official document from the Shosuro Governorship, buying the property from the Megumi family line for well over what the place was worth. Scattered documents showed attempts by other samurai to purchase the place, but all offers were denied by the Governorship itself.*

As the Seppun went through the documents with the Scorpion, his jovial demeanor shifted into the focused gaze of a seasoned warrior staring down the collected documents as if they were an enemy swordsman. "Very strange matters, Bayushi-san. So the Governorship owned this building and let it sit neglected for almost forty years—all while refusing to part with it—before giving to the Dragon. I cannot say this sits well with me, especially . . . Well, what do you make of it?"

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Sonny
"I have had the pleasure of crossing blades with the Mirumoto trained bushi, and I can imagine your wife is just as proud and competent." Kaori chuckled softly before getting down to business. 

"I cannot comment on the decisions of the governors," She mused in a tone that implied none of her comments would be polite. She appreciated the old Seppun's assistance greatly, settling down to work alongside him with all the careful attentiveness of a student watching their master at demonstration. "But then, I am only a guardian, not the one who holds the leashes. Seeing things from this side is an exciting new learning experience. Who exactly was the governor during this time? And how closely do the dates of transference coincide to succession? Was one governor in particular instrumental in this house sitting vacant for so long? It is probably not much of a clue except that each ruler has their own priorities and that could lead to finding the real interest behind the disposition of the place."

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Walter
"Hmm. Seems the place was folded into the property of the Governorship shortly before Shosuro Hyobu began to serve. I had the pleasure of meeting her once." His eyes glossed over as the memories flowed through his mind. "I always felt she did a fine job managing the . . . Unique qualities of this city. Certainly among the best governors Ryoko Owari had the pleasure of having seen. I hear she has found her retirement quite enjoyable."

His finger idly tapped on the document near the date the transaction was made. "Did you know a cadre of Crab—Kuni and Kaiu at that—tore through the Noble Quarter not more than a week after this? Despite the Governor's earnest efforts to calm them they ran amok until eventually the Thunder Guard had to throw them out."

The frown grew deeper. "That was the last time we had as many Crab in the city as we do now. It worries me they might start up trouble again. When they congregate without demons to fight, things can quickly spiral out of control."

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Sonny
"The Crab are like the Lion, they need a foe to face, a challenge to overcome. Artistic pursuits are not enough to sate their needs, they must have tangible proof of their dominance bleeding before them—if you'll pardon the vivid imagery," Kaori sighed. "I should meet with them. Maybe the Scorpion can partner with them to pursue a constructive end. If there are more Kaiu in their ranks we might make a deal to shore up part of the city's defenses." 

She flicked her hair back and peered at the document. "I did not have the chance to meet Shosuro Hyobu. Is there a good source of information detailing her reign? I could always check the palace, but sometimes the unofficial reports can be as insightful as the ones that we file for posterity." 

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Walter
"Indeed. Do not get me wrong, I find the lone or focused Crab among the finest companions. A year spent on the Wall will teach you that." Kenta would reappear with a scribe's satchel, standing just far enough out so that he would not overhead any conversation. The Seppun continued to idly arrange the documents before him. "If any of these documents catch your interest, you are welcome to request our services to transcribe a faithful copy. As to Governor Hyobu, she knew how to balance the city's exterior with its nature. You understand. When she retired the city was functioning so well that the late Governor was able to ride that success until the past winter. Should you want any official records perhaps I could arrange what is able to be shared."

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Sonny
"Ahhh..." Kaori waved her hand. "To study any leader, one must look aside. To know Governor Hyobu, I should like to look at the crime rates during her reign, the tax rates compared to tax gains, and the rate of peasant deaths. A good governor can manage prosperity so that desperate crimes are not so common, everyone makes more money, and the city's coffers flourish without excessive skimming. Not to mention, the number of peasants who die of cold, starvation, and disease should dwindle under a good governor who keeps services running even in the harshest of winters. At least, that is what I was told once. I cannot remember who gave me this insight, but I would think it workable?" 

Flicking back her hair she carefully observed the Seppun's arranging, looking for any sign that he was trying to draw her attention to a particular parchment. 

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Walter
"Facts and figures we have aplenty and able to be shared. I will have someone collect those for you." The Seppun waved and Kenta moved back into the records hall. There did not appear to be any hidden meaning in the movements of the Secretary of City Records. The man simply seemed to have a propensity for order, lining up all the documents chronologically. The history seemed all laid out before them: from a Yogo family, to a Shosuro family, to the Governorship where it lay abandoned but unsold despite several lucrative offers, until transfer to the Dragon. "Is there anything else I can assist with, Bayushi-san? I'm afraid this is all we have."

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Sonny
"It is enough to start," Kaori nodded. "I am in no rush, this is a favor I do for the Dragon but they are not my masters. When will the copies be ready for examination? I can return." 

She was relaxed, in no hurry at all. Nothing in her demeanor suggested she would do a poor job of studying the documents, but nothing suggested she especially cared about the outcome either. To her, it was just a job to keep her busy and exercise her mind until her arm was back in shape. 

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Walter
"Under normal circumstances I would place them in our current backlog of records to transcribe." The Seppun nodded contently at the papers before him, stacking them now into a neat and orderly pile. Placing it to his right, he would return his attention to the little Bayushi. "But, you have humored this old man's ramblings and promised me the details of whatever it is you discover. For that I can place this at the top of our list. These can all be transcribed tomorrow, ready for you to collect by the day after."

Rising stiffly, using his cane to support himself, he bowed politely at his company. Behind the Bayushi back at the door she entered through, standing properly deferential, was an elderly, small, scrawny man with what seemed to be a badly healed broken arm. He was dressed finely enough for a page or other servant sent by a wealthy lord. "I am afraid my next appointment has arrived, Bayushi-san. Please schedule an appointment to visit any time you wish."

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Sonny
Kaori returned the bow far deeper and more reverently than any she'd yet given in this city. Maybe she genuinely liked this old man, maybe she just hoped he would introduce her to his son, but she seemed full of good cheer and energy when her head came up. "You have been generous in your wisdom and kind with your power, Seppun-sama, it has been a pleasure meeting with you. I shall indeed return with the full story, though I hope we can share it over a cup of tea next time." 

She flicked her hair back into place and followed the servant back out the door, where she made an appointment to pick up the papers. "Tomorrow evening before you close for the day, if that is convenient for your master. I am in no rush." 

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Walter
*So the Scorpion departed the rooms of what had once been a monument to their clan's order and efficiency within the city, and would be again should they succeed. She had received the history of the place, and now left with more clues? Questions? Information. Information was the lifeblood to any investigation, and while the Dragon's missive was not about the little killer's clan directly, whatever the mystery surrounding this place was it did involve them somehow. Taking one last look back at the city hall, the proud banners of the Otomo—four great serpents each sinking their fangs into the next in a circle—the woman disappeared into the streets.*

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``` End Scene ```