Roseanna
Soshi Miyoko arrived precisely on time for her appointment, she wore a black kimono that had gradient red sleeves and her hair was down, shimmering like silk where it caught the light. She was patient as she prepared for what might be a difficult meeting. Finding herself in the thundering halls of the horsemen who could smash through Crab and Lion, who were not to be taken lightly at the best of times, and recent events made these more akin to the worst of times.

It was a difficult position for Miyoko, as generally she had always felt the most at home among the Unicorn, as they were not quick to judge her based on her features or roots and even though they didn't necessarily always meet her courtly expectations she had found them to be warm and inviting. Excellent motivation for her to find a way to simmer down this boiling tension, so that she could enjoy better times with them, for now she needed to make as good an impression as possible with their Ambassador in hopes of fostering a connection.
Steven
A servant dressed in fine clothes indicative of a high status heimin, diminutive even for Rokugani standards at under five feet, would enter the waiting room. Eyes properly lowered, she bowed as respectfully as one of her status should to the Scorpion. "Greetings, honored samurai-sama. Utaku-sama will see you now. If you would follow this one I will take you to her."
Rita
There were few places that Masanori desired to be less than the Unicorn ambassador's solar. It had been his, for a time, over the long winter, and the memories attached to it were not particularly pleasant ones. Being made to brood over failures he had little means of preventing was already a painful blow, but having salt rubbed in the wound by being made a glorified, temporary bureaucrat to top it off? The spring could not have come sooner. Of course, with spring came a change in leadership, and the office transitioned from a prison of the soul to a palpable reminder of his sister's influence. It was perhaps the only thing that made him miss the position—authority he once possessed within the embassy's walls was now Kazuko's to wield against him. Something she was not shy in exercising.

When the news reached him that she had gone ahead and contacted the Lion with their plans without conferring with him first, he did not bother with the pleasantries of appointments. Though he had fallen from the position of ambassador, the guards of the embassy were still his to command, and so only bowed in deference as he marched his way towards the Utaku taisa's office. It did dawn on him that such an intrusion might have been unappreciated, an interruption in important diplomatic work, but he was more than willing to take the risk. If he could inconvenience her even a little with his lack of forethought, perhaps she could be made to understand a small fraction of how he felt. 

No sooner did he reach the top of the stairs and slide the door open did he find himself affixed with a ferocious looking glare from the Unicorn's highest official. A lesser soldier under her command might have withered at the sight, but for Masanori, the only option was to meet her gaze with one of equal hostility. 

"Utaku-sama. I believe we have something of great importance to speak of. Something involving our long-term rivals that did not reach my ear until just this morning."

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Roseanna
Miyoko offered the servant a courteous bow, "I am Soshi Miyoko, may I ask your name, Unicorn-San?" She nodded her understanding, moving to follow the other woman, "Thank you for your hospitality, please lead the way." She was careful not to get too distracted and stop following, but her eyes wandered the residence with a sense of wonder. For this visit she had peace knotted her wakizashi, and wrapped a red and black ribbon overtop of the knot. "The residence here is quite lovely, are you responsible for maintaining it? If not, would you pass my compliments on to whomever is?" She made some idle chatter with the servant, friendly and smiling.
Rita
Masanori barely resisted the urge to grimace. He understood the need for the secrecy, given the events of the winter, but being made to sneak around their residence like there were rats under every floor board never ceased to irritate him. As he closed the door behind him and made to sit before Kazuko, he waved his hand to dismiss the notion of Mekhem entirely. When his fingers began to lace their way through a series of carefully choreographed signals, the nature of his dismissal was made clear.



He could not speak on the nature of the Lion's new ambassador—she had taken office after he had left his temporary posting, and her predecessor had made a point of maintaining a very purposeful distance from the Unicorn's own dignitaries throughout the waning months of winter.



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Steven
"The Lion add additional troops and the blessing of the Emperor's Right Hand to our choices. Do not worry about the past or current Ambassador. I have that situation well in hand." Masanori did raise a valid point. Subtlety was the weapon of choice for this phase of the operation, and they needed the element of surprise. The Lion were the antithesis of that. "The last one I knew personally from years ago, and the new one is a child who has the misfortune of believing I am worthy of imitation."

Kazuko observed her brother's reactions. This was more than his standard level of ire at her. Something deeper was at play. "I am no fool. I have not told them in what capacity they will assist. I trust you to gauge that when you meet their garrison commander and act accordingly.

"If you believe I am in the wrong, then I encourage you to speak freely now."

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Rita
Masanori's eyebrows only furrowed further at Kazuko's claims. He had not even been made aware that she had made efforts to court the Lion, much less that she had achieved such a level of success with those efforts. Without proper lines of communication, their ability to coordinate would only continue to deteriorate, and he could not make a show of force every time something trickled down to him by stomping his way into her office and making demands. 



His frustration grew as he struggled to sign with both the speed and accuracy to relay the severity of the issue at hand. Speaking would have been an easier thing, but stubborn as he was wont to get on such matters, his fingers were made to mold through signals he had not practiced diligently since he was a teenager. 

Or, they would have, had there not been a noise by the door. The chui turned his head to peer through the shoji at the approaching footsteps. 

"Fuyuko-san returning from an errand?" He inquired, finally putting his voice to use as he glanced back at his sister.

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Roseanna
Masanori was met with the countenance of a scorpion woman and Fuyuko, who were on their way to enter the room, Miyoko's demeanor seemingly calm and friendly, as she wrapped up her casual conversation, "Fuyuko-san, thank you again, I look forward to meeting Ide Fubatsu-san in the future, I hope the rest of your day goes well."

Miyoko was grateful to Fuyuko for her demeanor, it had helped her push down her inner fears and worries and lead with brightness as she would cross the threshold into the room with Kazuko and Masanori. Giving a slight bow to the her as she entered the room. Then she turned to face the tense space, giving a deep polite bow as she entered the room, "Utaku-sama, thank you for your time in greeting me today. Hello, other Unicorn-sama, may I ask your name?" She tried to play it safe, she had learned a lesson in the lion embassy, better to be too polite than not polite enough.

Moving into the room the Soshi assessed the two Utakus with keen eyes, "I'm a diplomat for the scorpion clan, my name is Soshi Miyoko, and I'm honored to make your acquaintances. I've recently arrived in Ryoko Owari Toshi, but I'd like to lead by apologizing, I recognize that there was foul play, a heinous act of trickery committed by some of my clansmen in the city prior to my arrival. I will understand if you hold that against me, though I ask that I might be judged ultimately by my own actions rather than the wrongdoings of my clansmen." She offered another deep bow by way of apology, but did not prostrate herself. 

Rising back up from the bow, the scorpion looked between the Unicorns, a thoughtful glint of an idea in her eyes, but she was patiently waiting for the unicorns to set the pace and tone of the next topic.

||Lemme know if I need to make any edits, I think I understood the scene correctly, and thank you both for your time roleplaying with me,
Steven
*If only. Brace yourself.* Was all Kazuko had time to sign before the screen opened and the Scorpion was introduced. She gave a brief glance to Masanori, hoping he would posit why she had seemed so on edge upon his arrival. The girl would speak and bow, then speak again with flowering apologies and . . . Bow again. What a disgusting little toad.

Fuyuko moved behind the desk to Kazuko's side and began translating for her. The icy stare of the Battle Maiden did not soften or break with the woman before her. "Soshi-san, I bid you welcome. The woman speaking is Fuyuko-san. She serves as my translator, as I am unable to speak clearly after attempts on my life. Any words conveyed by her are my words, and I respectfully ask you to consider them with the same weight."

After allowing Masanori to introduce himself, she would continue. The girl wished to play the dance? Then dance she would. "You are the first and thus far only Scorpion to visit our Embassy. As you had the decency to schedule this I am humoring your visit here. Yet the offense you speak of was committed by your better, a samurai of greater status and importance than you. As you know, the words and deeds of a lord are those of his servants. Unless you believe yourself somehow above the late Governor?"

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Rita
Of all the sights Masanori might have witnessed at the embassy, a Scorpion's visage was among those he expected least. The scions of Bayushi had not shown the slightest interest in visiting the Ide residence, before *Or* After the events of the ill-fated ambassador's conference that saw the city stripped from them. Their absence in times recent was understandable enough, of course. It was likely self-preservation as much as it was a deliberate sleight meant to delegitimize a rival's presence in the city. 

Though there was little love lost between their clans even before Shosuro Orochi's ruse, and he could not help but find himself pitying the poor woman as he rose from his seated position in front of Kazuko's desk—hostility between the Unicorn's leadership and the Scorpion's diplomats was expected as a matter of course, but he knew well that Kazuko's disdain for the Soshi's clan incredibly deep. She had an uphill battle ahead of her. 

"Utaku Masanori, chui of the Unicorn's mobile infantry force. I serve as Utaku Kazuko-sama's second."

His eyes drifted back towards Fuyuko as he spoke, a knowing look upon his features as she translated his sister's words. It was going to be a difficult meeting for everyone, and he wondered idly whether it was proper for him to sit in on what looked to be a scheduled diplomatic affair. The logistics of excusing himself being what they were, however, he opted to step aside and take a seat opposite to the side Fuyuko had positioned herself, angling such that he could see both Kazuko's signing and their guest.
Roseanna
"Thank you, I understand, and thank you again Fuyuko-san for your assistance." The smiling Soshi was thoughtful, as she continued, "It is regrettable that none prior to myself has given the proper respect you and your clan are due, Utaku Kazuko-sama. It is a grave insult that neither the scorpion of present nor prior have made any efforts towards understanding with the Unicorn clan, I hope you will accept this diplomat's attempts to rectify that." 

"Utaku Masanori-sama, thank you for taking time to attend this meeting." Miyoko looked to him for a moment before Kazuko's next question, and the smile faded.

The Soshi paused as she looked back to Kazuko, carefully considering her words, before speaking, "I think of the late governor as a traitor, and among the lowliest of creatures. I know my own station is lower, and that my clan might claim otherwise, but I feel he is someone who is unworthy of respect, and who forsook his honor. I deeply regret that as he plummeted he brought others down with him, if he drew breath still, I would see him as an enemy." She shifted slightly, but her expression only changed to neutrality as she spoke on the topic.

"If you still question my sincerity, I would ask you how I might satisfy your doubts? I expect you have misgivings about me, Utaku Kazuko-sama. I dearly hope to earn the right to get to know you, Utaku Masanori-sama and Fuyuko-san better in the future. I hope also to learn more of the Unicorn clan who I deeply admire for their warmth and tolerance."

Miyoko waited for the unicorns responses as she puzzled on a thought, deciding it would be rude to voice, but that it was a worthy idea for how to potentially show her sincerity in her own way.

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Steven
"Hmph." Kazuko was no stranger to harsh feelings toward those who came before. Her own opinion of the late Ide Nakato was foremost in her mind. Still, to speak so freely to clan enemies meant either this one was a fool or a manipulator. Most likely the latter. "It seems you are very impassioned over the previous state of governance in the city. Your words border on treason against your own clan; I would caution you to temper them."

The duel had been legal, and had ended karmically to wipe the dishonor from both their names, fools though they were. To say otherwise was dangerous indeed. The legacy of their actions were not so easily removed, but there were far greater stakes at play. "You wish to earn that which was not yours long before the events of Winter, however. Our claims on this city began the division between our clans. Do you mean to solve alone what our clans have prepared for over years now?"

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Roseanna
"I doubt that I could be so lucky, but it is my desire as well as my duty, and I will strive to succeed where others before me have not even dared to try. Is there something I could do to show you my sincerity, Utaku Kazuko-sama? I will always be passionate, Ryoko Owari Toshi is my home, whether the city belongs to the unicorn, the scorpion or is permanently claimed by the imperials. I want to reduce the tension, rather than add to it. Do you consider that worthy of your time to at least, for you to continue to humor me and tolerate my presence?" Miyoko didn't falter, looking Kazuko in the eyes as she spoke. There were questions and thoughts racing, but each was captured and bottled, alongside any stinging words, because this was hardly the time or place.
Steven
"There is nothing as of yet that comes to mind that you could do in order to prove that which your clan has rejected, though your appointment here is appreciated." The icy stare continued to regard the Scorpion. What was her angle? What did she want, to get her to lower her guard? She would be sorely disappointed. Kazuko would never lower her guard near one of them. Still, she was the Ambassador and did represent her clan, so she would have to afford them a modicum of respect. The respect owed between children of the Empire.

"Why would we not tolerate the presence of a fellow clan samurai? Rest assured so long as you are within the grounds of our Embassy you shall be treated as one not our enemy." A servant arrived with tea and three cups. Fuyuko would then serve the three samurai, before falling behind her lady once again. "It is only honorable to treat our guests as they are owed."

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Rita
The proceedings were as anticipated, though Masanori could not say that made them any more palatable. It was difficult to place what exactly the Scorpion wanted—from the moment she entered the office which was once his own, she seemed intent on placating them above all else. Why wait for so long to do so? To what end did she mean to soothe their tempers? It was like as not that she would obfuscate the reasoning behind a veil of deceit, regardless of whether or not he bothered to ask. She spoke of sincerity, though, and on the smallest, most unlikely of chances she actually meant it, interjecting to assist the poor woman was a worthy enough endeavor. She would need every ounce of help she could get when dealing with Kazuko.

"If you so desire to show your sincerity, then I would encourage you to be forthcoming with your intentions, Soshi-san. That you seem to think so lowly of our hospitality leads me to believe you are not ignorant of the rumors that surround our clan. That we are little more than foreign barbarians, baying at your doorstep, come to corrupt your city with our savage customs. Most all of them are slander, meant to discredit our cause. To sow fear in the hearts of the people."

Whether she believed them or not, he had witnessed the Scorpion clan's venom more than once since arriving in the city. He offered a short nod of acknowledgement as Fuyuko poured his tea, reaching to lift the ceramic cup. 

"One that I can say with confidence is not, however, is our distaste for the flowery dressing that constitutes *Courtesy* To some of our brethren. We hold an appreciation for those who conduct themselves with the directness that befits a samurai. Are we to believe you have come here solely to decry the actions of the very clan that bore you? Or is this simply a sop, meant to ease our disdain for your kind before you express your true reason for visiting us?"

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Roseanna
Miyoko listened before speaking again, watching each Unicorn in turn as they spoke. "As you like I will speak more plainly and directly then. Yes I am aware of the rumors you mentioned, but I don't share their sentiment. The unicorn that I have met, always made me feel more welcome than my own clansmen and I apologize that I gave any implication otherwise." The Soshi woman met Masanori's eyes as she directly contested the rumors with her own experience. "I thank you for the advice, Utaku Masanori-sama."

Looking back to Kazuko, the Soshi continued, "I came to offer my sincerest apologies and to introduce myself to Utaku Kazuko-sama. I am aware of the failings and disrepect you've received up to this point, I am hoping to change that so that our clans might be able to exist side by side on better terms. It's been a difficult return to my home city, the scorpion have done much to offend the other clans, including yours." She shifted a little, frowning slightly, just before she tried a sip of the tea. "In the future, I hope that you might look to me for anything the unicorn might need or want from the scorpion. I'll try on my end to discourage further provocations from my clansmen as much as my own influence allows, but I'm only a humble diplomat."
Steven
There it was. *I am different from the rest of the clan, you can trust me.* The angle had revealed itself. Use the pretense of being the nice one to get the Unicorn to lower their guard and then bring in the knife. No. Kazuko was already far too familiar with the blade brought to bear when most vulnerable. She was not about to make that mistake again.

"I am afraid I cannot think of anything we need of the Scorpion, other than that which I will not say before one who has come here in peace and honor." Despite her rising anger at this whole charade, she kept her tongue in check. It took courage for the girl to arrange this meeting and come before her, and whether it was genuine or the far more likely scheme she admired that. For that reason she would not go off on a tirade against the Soshi. "I plan on meeting with your Ambassador soon to discuss a joint project he wishes to insert himself into, and will be sure to mention your offer to him, of course."

She really had nothing else to say, and would instead turn back to Masanori to observe his input.

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Rita
The meeting seemed to be going about as well as could be expected. The sincerity of a Scorpion was always something to be questioned, something that they themselves had seen to with a thousand years of scheming. The scions of Bayushi wore their deceit like a badge of honor, and so Masanori could not blame his dear sister for the harshness in her words. That the girl had not been ejected from the office for her attempts at reconciliation was impressive in its own right.

His time of sitting, and listening, and contemplating all seemed to come to an end. Kazuko's glance lingered on him, as if trying to encourage him to make his feelings on the matter be known. Truthfully, he had about as much to say as his sister: the city's ownership was a matter their clans would never see eye-to-eye on, and to remind the Soshi of that was only to rub salt in what must have been a growing wound. 

"If nothing else, your attempt at reaching out to us is appreciated, Soshi-san. You may only be a humble diplomat, but in doing so, you have done us a greater decency than those many times your greater. Though I am sure many of your kinsmen disdain his words, Lord Akodo made his opinion on the matter quite clear: a samurai is courtesy even to his enemies."

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