Gail
Matsu Hotaru. The one she had played Cuju with. It had been truly fun but after the introduction with Katsuhiro besides her she had not spoken to the Matsu. It was time for a status update. They were trusted enough to speak at least about a few things. 

A single knock on the door of the Matsu's room had echoed. Followed by the words *"Please come see the Ambassador-sama at once. She wishes to speak to you in her office."* The servant would walk away and continue preparations. When Hotaru would enter, Himiko would be there to greet her with tea, dumplings and a small gift box. *"Welcome Matsu-san."* She spoke. 

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Robert
Hotaru, ever dutiful, did not leave the ambassador waiting very long. She only brought with her her wakizashi to the meeting, hastily slipped into the right of her obi. Hotaru would knock before entering. When granted leave to enter, the Matsu bushi bowed low to the Kitsu.

"Kitsu-sama, you requested me." Hotaru intoned, more acknowledgment than question though the 'what can i do for you' was certainly implied in the hanging silence after her words.

She would remain standing until Himiko gestured for her to sit, in which case she would do so.
Gail
Himiko had not implied for her to sit however. She would bow down to acknowledge her before stepping beside her to slide the doors closed behind her. Soon she would step back to offer a small wooden box. She would offer it twice as known to customs before she finally gestured Hotaru to settle down. Himiko had done the same but on the other side of the desk. Even though Hotaru had been looming over her in height, something about Himiko's current presence had been overtaking that idea in the fullest. She would fold her hands together. *"Would you like some tea Matsu-san?"* Himiko had questioned in a polite manner. Her smile had been calm and truthful. 

This was the other side of Himiko. The playful child that was once seen on the Cuju fields had been no longer and an ambassador had been seated in front of her. Much like every Lion Himiko had been nothing but direct. *"It has been a while since we have discussed some things and something tells me it is time to do so again."* The golden and blue eye glanced over at the Matsu. They seemed friendly enough for now. After all she had been nothing but friendly to the Matsu. 

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Robert
It was not often Hotaru felt the gaze of a predator from those younger than her. She had denied the gift the requisite number of times before graciously accepting with another bow to the young woman. Hotaru's gaze briefly glanced over the box, but she would set it aside to peruse later. Her mother had always told her it was rude to open a gift when the gifter did not indicate she should do so. The serious tone of the room suggested to Hotaru that later would perhaps be a btter time. 

"Tea would be most appreciated Himiko-sama but please, allow me to pour." Hotaru insisted. It was only polite afterall, she held the lower station. Hotaru would pour the tea if the offer was accepted and after doing so, would give her full attention to her Ambassador. 

"Indeed. You honor me Kitsu-sama with your time, you are no doubt a busy woman. How can I be of service today?" There. Nice and polite even if she was perhaps cutting to the point quickly. Hotaru could appreciate court games, but she was not a fan of playing them and she much preferred directness.
Gail
*"Thank you Matsu-san. It is very much appreciated."* She watched the Matsu follow etiquette, something her other clanmates had not done in this case. She'd be relieved to see that at least a few of them could be representable in public and more strict places. *"Busy truly is the correct word for it."* Himiko seemed to confess. She was still granting no tension whatsoever. *"If you wish to open your gift Matsu-san, please go ahead. It requires some explanation, without the gifts seem strange."* She would state. 

Taking the tea when ready. Her hands were cold for some reason so she had clinged them around the cup. When the gift box would be opened a few things were inside. First would be a copy of a copy of a passage of Akodo's leadership. Second would be two golden pins, one crafted in the Mon of the Lion, one in the Mon of the Matsu. Third there would be an Omamori. Himiko started to speak as Hotaru was granted the time to look over them. *"First a gift in honor of our ancestors, a sign of loyalty."* She would brush back her hairs slightly. *"Second a sign of home and unity. May our clan even within the walls of this city stay united and loyal."* She would put down the cup. *"And Miu has told me you are familiar with these already. She desired to craft you one, one will pray for the strength of you and your family."* 

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Robert
Hotaru would bow her head to Himiko in a reiteration of thanks after she finished the explanation. "They are well thought out, thank you Kitsu-Sama. I will have to give my thanks to Kitsu Miu-San as well for her contribution. I have no doubt I am far from the first to admit to you, a severe dislike of Ryoko Owari Toshi. My heart longs for our peoples lands. It has heartens me though, that our embassy remains such a steadfast presence here. The company of our Clanmates makes this den of vice endurable. It is a testament, I should think, to your leadership.' It was a lengthily set up compliment, but one Hotaru no less believed in. She also hoped, in Lieu of himikos explanation of the gifts, that her words would carry that the Matsu before her also saw the importance in the unity and loyalty of the clan within the city. Hotaru would gently set the box to the side again and pick up her tea to sip politely from the cup.
Gail
But those words did not soften what was about to happen. She understood. But she also understood that her loyalty would directly lie with Katsuhiro, not with Himiko. "But I am uncertain of my leadership is the cause of that presence. It absolutely is to the other clans. But inside. I question why many of my clansman decide to defy me. Multiple times." The unnerving part of this was that Himiko's presence grew. Yet behind that face that held much agony on first glance, her anger was nowhere visible. An eerie polite smile. Way to break the news. 

"Much like you have, inviting a scorpion into our embassy without even mentioning it to me." Himiko left silence, but enough for Hotaru to come back with a reasoning for it or any opportunity to defend herself here. She was a fair judge in a court. But it was not the only violation. Therefore when Hotaru had chance to speak, Himiko would continue. "Second of all, you are my Yojimbo, why is it I have not once found you by my side? Or should it be my duty to come and fetch you for your duties." She was cold. She was the Ambassador that the Lion Champion had assigned. This was the reason she was chosen. 

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Robert
Hotaru's face was a smooth marble. She did take time to think her answers through and didnt even bother to hide the fact by drinking from her tea, whether that was to her credit or not was up to Himiko to decide, but the cup would remain untouched in what Hotaru hoped conveyed some amount of contrition. 

"I will start with the lesser, if only because it is more easily defensible." There was a no-nonsense quality to the Matsu's tone, one that seemed better suited to listing battlefield casualties than it did to defending one's actions. 

"If Rokugo Yuto-san proved one clear thing in the dinner *We* Attended" She emphasized the we here. Perhaps she had not been constantly by the Ambassador's side, but to say she had *Not once* Been found by the woman's side was factually incorrect. "It is that he is a fool to think *Money* Solves the slight of the Scorpion's wrongs. Later interactions," Hotaru was unsure whether admitting they'd spoken before she had invited him to spar would be a wise decision or not, but she would be honest in her failings if Himiko perceived it as one. "Proved him a soft-hearted fool. In truth, I find it as hard to consider that man a Scorpion as I do thinking a cat is a dog. I believe Rokugo-san to be the least deceitful Scorpion in the entire city and, perhaps, the easiest for us to manipulate."

"With that being said, given that it would be a matter of security, I did speak with Akodo-sama on the topic. I understand clearly now though, that going forward such things should also be approved by you as well Kitsu-sama." The words were delivered in the same no-nonsense tone and definitely alluded to the fact the Matsu saw her loyalty as belonging to Katsuhiro and not directly to Himiko. If there was any question to this though, such considerations were soon confirmed and Hotaru continued to speak.

"As for the second matter. I must deeply apologize Kitsu-sama if the impression has been given that I was to be your sworn yojimbo. My primary designation is with the army and it was my understanding that Akodo-sama was loaning my capabilities as you required them. In truth I have personally assumed that Kitsu Miu-san acts as your bodyguard day to day based on how I have observed her. I readily accept that it is a personal failing of mine that I am not as adept in matters of etiquette that yourself and other courtiers might better exemplify and I should not have acted on assumptions. This matter is clearly a result of my personal failings Kitsu-sama, please accept my deepest apologies." With the words, still presented in the same tone, Hotaru would shuffle back from the table and perform the dogeza, staying in the position until the Kitsu indicated otherwise.
Gail
Himiko had watched this unfold. Of course she would give the clansman time to defend herself. She was not a tyrant, nor did she attempt to damage the reputation of the samurai. It was a reminder of who was in charge in this place. Those actions made should have consequences whether that would be good or bad. *"Please Matsu-san."* Himiko would gesture to her to rise again and once more take a seat. She had accepted the deepest apologies. *"Understand that this was a warning. After all we are not perfect soldiers or warriors. Not yet."* She would remove the eerie smile as it had turned to a more neutral but genuine look. 

*"Things within the Lion embassy are going stable. The scorpion however, much like you said, thinks their feeble offer of money was enough for me to forget about their backstabbing course they were faring in."* She would gesture to the woman to take a sip of tea before the heat would take its leave. *"As for your opinion on Yuto-san. It is a true perspective you have. Perhaps try to play along. But please keep in mind that he is and will remain a scorpion. A clan that has been proven unstable multiple times."* Himiko had accepted Hotaru's defense on this subject. Onto the next one it seemed. 

*"As for your task as my Yojimbo I will dismiss you. You have forgotten about my safety. "* Himiko would nod to her. *"Kitsu Miu-san will be assigned as my new Yojimbo. However she, as a shugenja, lacks the knowledge on how to identify a threat when needed. I will assign you in teaching her those ways to repay your slip up."* The young Kitsu stated. She had hoped this had not shunned the Matsu away from her loyalty to her too much. It was a mutual thing. Himiko decided to not assign her to horrid tasks or vocally assault her for her shortcomings. The ambassador seemed reasonable. 

*"But I have one thing to ask from you. As you are being the liaison between us and the scorpion. I assign you to do the same with the unicorn. It is not to punish you. Your skillset simply has the best way to find trust with their weakest link. It is an admirable quality that I can only wish for."* Himiko stated. 

*"After all. Keep our friends close. But our enemies closer."* 

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Robert
"Ah, indeed Kitsu-sama. I will do my best with this task." Hotaru nodded, hardly feeling as though she could argue the assignment. She hated the Unicorn, but the implication of Himiko's final words seemed to indicate that perhaps the positive relationship the younger woman maintained with the Unicorn was not as ... *Friendly* As Hotaru had initially interpreted. Such a sentiment reassured Hotaru and it was enough, she supposed, to approach the task as a way to take advantage of the clan's weaker elements in order to dampen the flames that were her hatred towards the Horse Lords. 

Hotaru hesitated before bringing up the next piece of information. The hesitation seemed to come from uncertainty over the relevancy of topic though more than anything else. "Kitsu-sama. While we are speaking of the other clans, I thought it might be pertinent to inquire how talks with the Phoenix are going? There is a young bushi in their ranks, a Shiba Terumi-san that has.. To be blunt, indicated *Interest* In me. Of a romantic nature. I am.. Currently inclined to entertain his interest. I am not getting any younger and marriage is something I am left pondering currently."