Dave
Shiba Shion did not make use of her quarters often in her time at the embassy. She visited only to sleep or store her belongings somewhere secure. This was not to say that the room was not up to standard, it was quite more than she could have ever asked for from her hosts. That itself was the problem, however. Whatever kindness that Ambassador Shiba Iemon-sama had given to her felt undeserved, and she simply could not bear to lean on their hospitality more than necessary.

This had the natural drawback of making it incredibly hard for servants to track her down. A young heimen spent far too long in search of her at the request of another clan samurai, and the stress of failing to bring results was growing visible on his furrowed brow. Not her rooms, not the shrines, not even the kitchens. Yet no word that she had left the embassy this day. 

It was only by luck and desperation that he was able to check the guest rooms of the main building — rooms meant primarily to receive guests not of the embassy's own staff. The servant would find Shion sitting at a table, sitting idle as she stared pensively into a cup of tea. She seemed to wear a pensive expression on her face as she contemplated her own distored reflection upon the tea's surface.

"Ahem— Shiba-sama, please forgive this sudden intrusion. Another guest, Isawa no Shingon Kentaro-sama wishes to speak with you." He falls to his knees and bows low as appropriate, waiting several heartbeats too long than seems standard before looking up to see the delay.

Shion finally snaps out of whatever reverie had taken hold of her to glance at the servant. Her gaze is vacant, seeming to have only now reached awareness of the servant's presence. "Ah. Yes, I will see them. Thank you for your hard work."

The servant's mouth hangs open a moment, almost in disbelief, before straightening and excusing himself from the room, allowing her guest to make themself known.

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Austin
The man, dressed in a fine, charcoal grey kimono with a mantle of firey orange over his shoulders entered, the mon of the phoenix emblazoned at his shoulders. He bowed politely, carrying a delicate wooden box in his hands, about the size of a container of stationary, decorated with intricate carvings of the flower of the same name as Shion. Rising up, his dark eyes met with Shion's and seemed to take in the guest room that she inhabited in an instant. His older face was weathered, but only now starting to weather as a few lines of age seemed to gather around his eyes.

"Shiba Shion-son, it is a great pleasure to meet you. I am Isawa no Shingon Kentarō, recently arrived in the city. Ambassador Shiba-sama has recommended that I speak with you. I would be most honoured to sit with you, and if you would accept this humble gift." He lowered his head again and offered the box to her with both of his hands.

It was his hope to work well with her, following the threads she was already pulling in her investigation. Many inquisitors entered cities as a typhoon, anxious to flush out heresy. Kentarō's methods were different. Sincerity and piety, true hospitality and a desire to gain trust had taught him years ago the importance of giving thoughtful gifts. Other inquisitors thought it was a farce, but Kentarō knew better than to feign propriety. He not only needed allies, but wanted to be a force to be reconned with within the city. A small, sincere gesture of admiration and gratitude he hoped would serve him, and the phoenix, well. 

Even so, he expected the younger woman to refuse his gift at first as politeness dictated. He would press and eventually hope to have made an impression with the pair of Sakazuki, small flat cups for Sake. Within the white porcelain was the image of a cherry tree, leafless in winter. When hot sake was added pink blossoms would dot the branches, bursting forth with an artistic springtime.

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Dave
Shion glanced down at the box in the man's hand, eyes peering over her scarf to admire the intricate carvings. Ah, her namesake was the motif. How thoughtful of him to go so far for such a simple gesture. She would have to think of something to match later. 

As was customary, she gave the two refusals before accepting with a nod and a smile that barely raised to her eyes. When she opened to examine the contents, the picture before her brought a look of surprise on her face. The cups immediately looked of fine make, and the art on them surely had much to be revealed behind it's minimalist but striking style.

She set the box aside for the moment. It would be impolite to gawk at a gift sincerely given overlong and not hear out what the giver had to say. "You have my gratitude, Shingon-san. A thoughtful gift in such arduous times gives one strength when they are without."

She bows her head, then lifts it to take the man fully in. An Isawa Shugenja, though not one that she recognized. Perhaps he was of a different school? She did not have a total census of all who frequented Kyuden Isawa, let alone those who worked outside of it's bounds. 

"May I ask then what business has brought you to a humble bushi like me?" Surely Shiba Iemon-sama had not recommended her to protect another of the Isawa? Not with the stain on her honor still so fresh. Even if so, she would dedicate herself to seeing his continued hospitality and faith well placed.

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Austin
The shugenja sat with her, pleased that she had enjoyed the gift but making no outward expression of such. He considered his words carefully. He preferred directness, but there was a dance to speaking, as lethal as the rival dancing of springtime falcons. 

"We are all but humble servants of the empire. Though the Kami may on occasion hear my words, it is the steel and skill of one such as yourself that allows those prayers to reach their sacred ears, and even rise with incense toward heaven."

He bowed his head at this, then looked deeply into her eyes. "Our esteemed Ambassador has given me a task, but in doing so has also forbade me from leaving the embassy without *Yojimbo* Escort."

He glanced his eyes about and leaned in, lowering his voice. He as of yet knew no prayers to the air kami to ensure privacy, but it wasn't strictly necessary— at least not yet.

"Eyes are upon us both, and with our sacred duty to the Phoenix and to the empire, I fear more eyes will yet fall upon us, many with designs to stand in the way of our duty. Shion-son, I am to assist you in your assignment, and I need your help in completing mine."

||no worries! I'm glad we are able to rp as we can! I hope you hae a great holiday
Dave
If she was surprised by this sudden request, she would not show it on her face. Iemon, it seemed, was a man who followed through on his word. When she availed her services to him, she expected a polite acknowledgement and to be left to her own devices, but this was a pleasant overturn of her expectations.

"Shiba-sama is wise to employ such a rule, we are far from the safety and hallowed ground of our clan's home." She had taken time to look into the incident that incited this rule, and the strain it had put upon their relations with the other powers in the city besides.

"Then allow me this brief moment of forwardness. My sole duty in this city is the pursuit of my former charge, or at least those responsible for her disappearance." For taking her from Shion. "I will see to your safety so long as our duties align." She bows her head in respect of this new assignment, and her new if temporary charge.

"With that being said, please share with me the details of your own assignment. The better I know it, the more prepared I will be to defend you should the need arise."

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Austin
He nodded slowly. "The corruption in this city is of great concern, and even the celestial hierarchy balks at the actions of some." He paused, considering his words. 

"There is a cult on the rise, a lowly and despicable charlatan has put forward a false article of faith declaring that he is *Kami*, and demands worship of those within his sphere. My charge is against this blasphemy; to bring such under the divine judgement of spell and steel."

His hand gently brushed against the wakizashi at his right before returning to his lap. "Your charge, and my mission, I believe, can be done together. As we learn more of one, we will likely learn more of the other if we are wise and prudent with our words and actions."

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Dave
Heresy in the heart of the empire. It does not shock her, nor offend her sensibilities to hear of it. The children of the Phoenix are often taught of the many times such evils manifested within the people. One could not avoid such happenings, only excise them— like weeds in the perfect garden of creation.

"A worthy task for one of the Isawa, and one that I would find honor and fulfilling alongside you." She inclines her head, ignoring the brief pull of excitement in the back of her head. If not a stepping stone on her path, then at the very least this task will prove a worthy distraction.

"Men such as these often command more than worship to maintain their delusions. Likely they will field heimen protectors, or perhaps even the stray ronin to defend them. It would be wise to expect trouble to find us before we find it in this case."

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