Anthony
The sun was just starting to reach its zenith in the sky when a samurai approached the embassy of the Phoenix clan. Garbed in simple and modest travelling clothes, he could've been mistaken for a ronin if not for the beautiful black haori he wore, one decorated with flowers in the hue of bright roaring flames. A straw hat hides his visage from the sun, tilted downwards as to shade his pale skin from the sunlight, save for silky black locks that nearly reach his waist in length. The tsuka of his daisho were prominent on his obi, his left hand casually propped on his katana.

He halted a few steps before the entrance to the embassy. Raising his head, the empty black eyes of Shiba Terumi beheld the embassy of his clan in the City of Lies. Truthfully, it wasn't the embassy that caught his gaze first, it was the ornate and solemn temple in front of it. It was typical of his clan, and the familiarity was welcoming after the long journey.

With a faint smile on his face, the young swordsman steps towards the entrance, ready to begin his duty and his new life in Ryoko Owari Toshi.

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Michael
A pair of ashigaru halted Terumi briefly as they inquired about what business this new face might have. After hearing his reply and skimming his travel papers, a call was made to a third ashigaru who began making polite inquiries within the embassy itself. A short few minutes later, the man returned.

« Please come with me, Shiba-sama. The Karo will see you now. »

Over the next few minutes, Terumi was led to a quiet, modest room within the embassy's main building. Within, a young man in an earthen-colored kimono with the Phoenix mon racing across his back stood from his seat at a low table.

« Shiba Terumi, I take it? I am Karo Asako Sanumo. A pleasure to meet you. » He bowed and then gestured to the seating arrangements. « I've already called for tea. We can discuss your travel papers and purpose in the city once it arrives. »

With some time to regard one another in the interim. Sanumo could be seen to have dark, shoulder-length hair bound with a circlet of cord around his head. He wore the countenance of someone who was recently habitually tired or perhaps even prone to melancholy. He seemed content to let silence reign until their beverages were delivered.

As the tea arrived, he served a cup for his visitor before saying. « Please, Shiba-san. Tell me about your journey to the city and how we might assist you now that you are here. »

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Anthony
Terumi quietly followed the processes of the embassy with effortless grace. As he met with the karo, the young bushi took of his straw hat and bowed in return. When he raised his head, the karo would be met with the youthful beauty of the young man. Silky black hair kept long and well-cared for draped over his shoulder, nearly reaching his waist in length, adorned only by a simple flower hairpin in the shape and hue of a red lotus. His skin was pale and his face quite handsome yet his eyes were unnervingly dark and piercing.

"A pleasure to meet you, Asako-san." He said, a faint yet polite smile on his face.

Silence grew between them as they wait for the beverages to arrive and Terumi wasn't bothered by it, maintaining the small smile on his face as he regarded the karo and was regarded by the karo in return.

"My thanks for the tea, Asako-san." He said as he takes a small sip, closing his eyes to savor the flavor. His smile grew minutely, clearly pleased. Yet when his eyes opened, they were still unnerving. Perhaps it was something that won't change. "The journey was pleasant and uneventful. As for my purpose ..."

He takes another sip. Then he places the cup on the low table.

"It is duty, Karo-san. "

Still sitting, he inclined his head in a short, quick, yet respectful bow.

"My blade is at the disposal of the embassy."

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Michael
A frustratingly vague answer, but not one he hadn't heard before. At least nothing had harried him along his travels.

He nodded in acknowledgement « We are honored to have your aid. Let me review your papers and then we can see about bringing you up to speed on recent events and determining how you might be of service. »

He took the travel papers as Terumi produced them and began to pore over their contents. Quirking an eyebrow, he noted that the authorizing party had indicated the samurai as bored and in need of reassignment.

*I didn't realize boredom was a valid reason to acquire a new job.*

Glancing briefly up at his clansmen, he pondered the gravity which his gaze held and the... Disquiet that something about him seemed to evoke.

*Perhaps this Isawa who signed his papers grew displeased with having such a person around. Typical.*

Setting them next to his own cup for later filing, he continued. « Everything appears to check out, though the details within were rather sparse. Where do your talents and interests as a bushi lie? It would be a waste for me to assign you to tasks that ill fit your capabilities. »

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Anthony
_... What exactly did Benihime-sama write on that letter?_

In his mind, Terumi sighed. Outwardly, his face remained the same.

_No matter._

"I am a duelist, Asako-san." He replied, smile widening a bit the serenity in his gaze seemed to ... Deepen and intensify as he said it. Like realizing that the placid lake was wider than initially thought and with disquieting depth. 

"I am skilled in every way to use a katana. Should you call for my services in court or in the battlefields out of it, I will be ready."

The Asako seemed to be a capable fellow. A heartening realization, to be sure. He was a bit perturbed by the thought of having an arrogant Isawa as his first contact in the embassy but the karo has settled his petty worries in that regard.

"And even if you ask something beyond my skills in battle, I will help to the best of my abilities regardless." The young man said, offering a short nod and closing his disquieting eyes. Remarkably, it made him look much kinder.

An illusion broken once those eyes of his opened once more.

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Michael
« A duelist, you say? It's a shame we didn't have you sooner. » he shook his head, loose hairs swishing as he did so. « However, just because your arrival was not perfectly timed does not make it any less auspicious. We currently have a dearth of skilled Phoenix bushi in the city and we can certainly put you to good use. »

Pausing long enough to enjoy some tea of his own, he pressed on. « The ambassador recently signed on to look into a peculiar situation in the city's underworld. My understanding is that one of the many criminal factions is setting up their own shrines for visitors to worship them. I'm going to recommend to Shiba Iemon-sama that he brief you on the particulars and have you assist in his stead. »

*A good way to spare Iemon from unnecessary danger while allowing this new samurai to network and make an impact in one motion.*

« If there are no objections, you should know how things stand between us and our fellows before we part ways. » He awaited Terumi's opinion, despite that it was not something Sanumo was required to take into account.

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Anthony
"How interesting," He commented, interested by this news of criminals making shrines. Of all things, why places of worship? It doesn't quite make sense for the young samurai but if that was what he was bade to do, then he will do it with little complaint. Besides, it would be a good way to get a grasp of the city. Maybe meet some interesting people.

Terumi takes a sip from his tea.

"I accept this task, Asako-san." He said with that same damnable smile on his face. 

"Is our clan regarded well in the city?" Terumi asked, a query borne out of curiosity rather than worry. He has grown used to the oftentimes distasteful attitudes of the Isawa and he wondered if the roaring flames of the Phoenix has burned a few bridges in Ryoko Owari Toshi already.

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Michael
He nodded, happy to have the matter of Terumi's first assignment settled. His question, however, was less of an upbeat topic.

"That really depends on who you ask, Shiba-san. In the not-so-distant past, we were of little remark overall and were building rapport with the Unicorn. Then we had an incident."

The courtier looked increasingly irritated and paused to try and compose himself before proceeding. "While in pursuit of a thief in the Leatherworker's Quarter, one of our shugenja urged the kami to strike the thief with lightning... While a prominent Utaku was right next to them. The man was blown clean through a wall and it is a miracle he survived."

"As you can imagine, this toppled any goodwill we had earned with the Unicorn, made us look like we lacked restraint and good judgement, and led to a private duel at Ambassador Utaku Kazuko's request. In a show of **Deep** Disrespect, she put a ronin in her employ named Atsuko up against our own Ambassador."

Sanumo stopped, realizing that he was gripping his cup hard enough that he was afraid it might burst, and set it down gently.

"We did not win, though we would prefer that knowledge to stay as private as the duel. Our time since then has been spent trying to save face and foster new relations. Lately, the Lion are our staunchest friends and we're preparing to make inroads with the Scorpion, surprisingly enough." Steering the topic away from the shugenja incident had seemed to help begin calming him, his focus given something new to fixate upon.

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Anthony
Terumi listened keenly to what the karo had to say with the same placid expression on his face that has been there since the beginning of the conversation. His smile didn't even waver even as he felt a wave of fresh irritation at such a diplomatic blunder caused by shugenja—the members of their clan that was most visible to Rokugan.

Then his eyes widened as he heard a certain name uttered.

His disturbing eyes narrowed into pinpricks. The smile on his face sharpened, widening as his excitement was ignited. Memories coming to the fore of a small ronin who fought with overwhelming aggression that was unexpected for someone of such size at the time. Of swords flashing brought forth by self-righteous blather and answered by a ronin's rightfully aggrieved pride. Memories of his one and only defeat and how humiliating it was and how enlightening it was flashed through his eyes.

He only noticed how unseemly he was being when a few chuckles escaped his lips.

The dissonant serenity was pierced, revealing that there was indeed a beast lying in ambush under the placid surface of the lake.

Terumi takes a deep breath to calm himself. The beating of his heart rang loudly in his ears and that would not do. There is a time and place for excitement and this was not it.

"Forgive me, Asako-san." He said, bringing his racing heart to heel, as he bowed deep. "That was ... Unseemly of me."

"But that ronin you spoke of. I know of her."

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Michael
Sanumo was not nearly so unobservant as to notice the severe change in Terumi's demeanor. Fortunes above, he even wondered if the samurai had heard anything else he'd said after his... Display.

"...Think nothing of it, Shiba-san. While you are not incorrect in your assessment, you are in safe company here."

*He knows Atsuko? I'm not sure where to start dissecting his reaction. Actually, that's none of my business right now. Ryoko Owari Toshi is a large city and his current task should keep him well clear of her.*

Clearing his throat, he sought to push past that and perhaps, if he ever chose to, save that topic for a later date.

It might be safer to let it lie.

"Do you have any questions regarding our clan's status or anything else? I've been kept rather busy lately and I'd hate for you to have to wait to get an urgent answer from me at a later time."

It was clear he was attempting to simultaneously be thorough and bring this meeting to a close.

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Anthony
The young Shiba successfully regained his prior composure, the smile on his face returning as if his face didn't just twist into a visage that was unsettling. Serenity returned and the lust for battle has receded. It was a surprise, to be sure, to hear that name uttered but Terumi would not let her presence in town distract him from his duty.

He took the cup of tea, now a bit lukewarm and finishes it.

"Only a few, Asako-san." Terumi said. "Aside from the tensions with the Unicorn and the rapport we've built with the Lion, how fares our relations with each of the other great clans?"

Terumi places the empty teacup back onto the table.

"I would also ask for the names of samurai, esteemed or otherwise, that I should watch out for." The corners of his lips curled upwards just a bit as he said this. 

The presence of that ronin alone has already made this new assignment more exciting than he expected but if someone like her stays in Ryoko Owari Toshi, then perhaps there are more interesting people that he might encounter.

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Michael
*All reasonable asks. Perhaps this Bushi's... Eccentricities can be overlooked.*

« To my knowledge, the Crane and Dragon have little interest in our affairs. They've had a light presence in the city and we really haven't had cause to interact much. Small amounts of networking and discussion have occurred with the Crab and Mantis, but I would still say we are on firmly neutral, casual footing. »

« Other than the Lion, our other promising prospects lie with the Scorpion. I had a chance encounter with Magistrate Bayushi Yuto and that appears to be turning into more amicably-minded talks of cooperation. We shall see if it bears any fruit. »

Truth be told, the Magistrate had made a good, earnest impression, but the Scorpion were not know for their honesty and forthrightness. Time would reveal their true aims.

« As far as people you should know the name of... » Sanumo quickly rattled through names and descriptions of the clan ambassadors ||as can be found here:  and then proceeded to other noteworthy personages. « Of course, Governor Otomo Tanimaru and his family are important, if distant figures. The ronin formerly known as Isawa Taisei and his victim, Utaku Masanori, are also popular topics of discussion as of late. »

He paused, smoothing out his apparel. « While I could go on for quite some time about various contacts, functionaries, and what-have-you, those seem less germane to your responsibilities and your inquiry. I can always arrange meetings on your behalf should you have need. »

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Anthony
_It seems that an Isawa's blunder has once again made life difficult for everyone else_,Terumi thought wryly. It seemed to him that the Phoenix isn't in so much of a bind as he had feared but the recent incident with the Unicorn seemed to have repercussions to the reputation of the clan in the city. Annoying but it doesn't seem to be something irreparable.

The Lion was one of the clans he personally finds agreeable. Sure, there might be boorish louts aplenty in their ranks, or so the rumors say, but a clan filled with strong fighters and swordsmen are the kind of samurai was a clan that he can admire. On the other hand, the Scorpion ...

Well, Terumi has some reservations but he's not the ambassador. That's beyond his purview.

Names have been given, though, and he made sure to remember the most important ones.

After the karo finished speaking, Terumi hummed thoughtfully.

"... What of dangers, Asako-san?" He asked after a moment's deliberation. "What threats might be poised against the Phoenix, our allies, and the people of the city? I would be remiss in my duty if I'm not aware of potential dangers."

_And the old man would be disappointed._

He remembered brutal and unforgiving spars with a man twice his size as his father mercilessly lectured him on the importance of protecting those you've pledged to defend.

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Michael
Noting the samurai's prudence, he leaned forward, elbows on the table, and gestured along with his words.

« In my assessment, most of the city's danger comes from its vast, sprawling underworld. While it is not my area of expertise, I'm told that there is a power vacuum currently and the many seedy factions are squabbling over scraps. Whether they be part of the Firemen gangs, opium cartels, or anything else, you would do well to tread carefully in such a volatile environment. Doubly so in the Leatherworker's Quarter; they have taken particular exception to Taisei's incident. »

« However,-» he raised a finger, beginning to speak much less casually. « -I have heard tale of yokai and other spiritual oddities and imbalances in the city. And I have personally encountered a pack of some sort of ravenous creatures in the surrounding countryside. »

Sanumo visibly shuddered, recalling just how close he had come to being torn to ribbons.

« I suppose what I'm saying, Shiba-san, is that danger could unfortunately be most anywhere.»

He was likely just as unhappy to deliver the news as Terumi was to hear it.

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Anthony
Terumi closed his eyes and briefly exhaled. 

Gangs from a deeply-rooted underworld and yokai in both the city and the countryside ...

When his dark eyes opened once more, the young swordsman looked more ... Curious rather than unhappy.

_How interesting,_ he thought.

He hasn't encountered any yokai before. Would his blade find purchase in whatever passes for flesh with these otherworldly creatures? Would they shed blood as red as those of his fellow men? Would they shed blood at all? It was an interesting conundrum to consider. In any case, it seems like his blade will be drawn sooner or later. A heartening thought, to be sure. However, another part of him urged to practice due vigilance to better protect the embassy and his clan.

"If that is the case, then I shall prepare myself and my sword for every kind of trouble." Terumi politely said.

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Michael
« Easier said than done, Shiba-san, but your tenacity is admirable. » He began to rise and gestured for Terumi to stay seated. « Please, stay a while and know the comforts of time spent away from the road. I will have servants by shortly to get you a hot meal and direct you to your quarters. »

*After I figure out where they will be.*

He briefly bowed. « It has been a pleasure meeting you and helping you to know your new station. You should hear from the Ambassador soon; he will be most happy at your arrival. »

Sliding the door open, he paused briefly to look over his shoulder and deliver a slightly strained smile. « The embassy isn't going to run itself. If you have need of me, most anyone should be able to steer you in the right direction. »

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Hyun
The servants quickly arrive on Sanumo's heels, and respectfully usher Terumi to a separate room that has been set for two. Food is brought out and set, and the servant silently nods to indicate that the new Shiba begin.

A few more minutes pass, and Iemon enters, bowing to the other man. "I must beg your pardon for my delay in joining you, Asako Sanumo-san was kindly telling me of how suited you are to join our embassy staff. It is good to meet you, Shiba Terumi-san. I am Shiba Iemon, ambassador for our Clan to Ryoko Owari Toshi." He sat opposite the younger man, reaching for the noodles. 

"I have also yet to eat lunch, so I hope you do not mind if I join you?"

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Anthony
"Thank you for your guidance, Asako-san." Terumi said, bowing gratefully at the karo as he left.

Soon, he was ushered out to a different room by dutiful servants where food was arrayed before him. He graced them with quiet and respectful thanks. As he began to get his chopsticks to begin sating his hunger, another samurai entered.

Seated as he was, he still managed a respectul bow towards the now-introduced ambassador.

"The pleasure is mine, Shiba Iemon-sama." He replied, a courteous though faint smile on his face. "And I do not mind."

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Hyun
"Excellent." Iemon quickly added food to his plate, and poured from a small bottle of sake he had brought with him into a cup to pass to the younger man. 

"A particular favorite of mine from my home of Nikesake." He says, a small smile of amusement crossing his features. "Though I fear I may need to order more at the rate that I've given away the small stock I had brought with me."

Iemon takes a few bites of food, allowing Terumi to do the same. "Sanumo-san has told me that he feels you will be a good fit for a task of a rather troubling nature regarding a local criminal. Have you much experience in dealing with such people?"

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Anthony
Terumi takes the cup and listened to the explanation with a curious hum. He takes a sip of the cup and savors it but the young man keeps his silence, no particularly strong feelings toward sake. As the ambassador ate, so too did he. As he did, he eyed the man.

This was the one who crossed blades with that ronin.

He feels a surge of excitement but tempers it. This is hardly the time or place for such a topic.

"Not so much, Shiba-sama." He freely admits as he placed his bowl back to the table. "I have dealt with criminals and ronin on my musha shugyo but only on an individual basis. This seems larger than that."

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Hyun
"Indeed, but that will make it a good opportunity to learn. Having a grounding in the basics can lend itself to more advanced applications." Iemon took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. "Not that we mean to cast you off on your own immediately, of course. More than likely we will have at least one or two others working with you." 

He adds some of the slivers of vegetables to his plate, raising another bite to his lips. "With your focus on the blade, I would also welcome a sparring partner. I have... Unfortunately had the unpleasant experience of learning my technique could use improvement, and have lacked someone to train with within our Clan's local roster. If you would indulge me in that, I would be grateful to you."

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Anthony
"Then I thank you for this opportunity, Shiba-sama." Terumi said, before his chopstick found a piece of tofu and elegantly stuffed it in his mouth. 

The ambassador's next words drew his interest and kept it there. This time, Terumi managed to temper his excitement, cut it off before it would show up on his face. 

"Of course, Shiba-sama. I think we would both benefit from having a regular sparring partner." The young shiba agreed with a small nod. It was not a difficult request to agree to. After all, Terumi's life has always been devoted to the blade. A ronin has given that nuance—opened his eyes to the wider world, to paths and possibilities beyond the way of the sword but Terumi's path has been chosen.

That same ronin has beaten the ambassador sitting and eating in front of him.

Terumi quietly returned to eating his food, contemplative as he gathered this thoughts, wondering if it was a good idea to bring it up ...

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Hyun
"Excellent, thank you, Shiba-san." Iemon said, chasing another morsel with a sip of tea. 

"I am... Unsure if Asako-san had mentioned it to you, but I recently lost a sword fight over a matter of honor. I do not intend to repeat the experience, and any opportunity to improve myself is a welcome one, to say the least." He downed the rest of his sake cup. "I have some training in the art of Iaido, but traditional swordplay is definitely my stronger suit."

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Anthony
"I have been praised in both traditional swordplay and in iaido, Shiba-sama." He plainly said, taking another tofu and quickly followed it with a clump of rice. "I've only been beaten once in a fight."

He places the bowl down, still smiling as he stared at the ambassador dead in the eye. 

"Forgive me if I'm being bold, Shiba-sama, but my curiosity implores me to ask." He began to say, licking his lips as his soft smile widened into a sharp grin, filled with joy and excitement. "How was she when you fought her? Was she still a vicious warrior, swift and aggressive, fighting with a fire in her lone eye and with the swiftness of a hunting wolf?"

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Hyun
Iemon's eyebrows shot up at the open question. "Ah. You are familiar with my triumphant opponent, then? Truly, the Empire seems to grow smaller the more I experience of it." He gave a light, rueful chuckle.

"She was... In hindsight, magnificent. Her ability to aggressively seek openings kept me from properly using my greater reach, and she even used a katana that was longer than one her size would be presumed to wield." He idly rubbed at his healing wound again. 

Food forgotten, his focus was on dissecting the fight, for the first time since being able to relate it to another student of the blade. "My defense was strong, but in attempting to find an opening of my own, she found my arm first with a blow that would have left her open to a lethal reply, had our duel not been to first blood. It is only thanks to the quick reaction of the judge that I did not dishonor myself and our clan by doing so. I was so caught up in my own fighting spirit..." He shook his head. "Again, thankfully nothing of further dishonor than my loss to a ronin occurred."

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Anthony
He nodded along to the senior Shiba's words. Digesting them as soon as it was spoken, understanding them as he slowly formed the duel in his mind. However, he knew that he cannot truly recreate such a spectacular bout in his mind, not without hearing the ronin's own testimony of how it went at the very least.

Through it all, his smile was bright and sharp, his once lifeless eyes were now filled with clarity, purpose, and a deep but quiet hunger. While Asako Sanumo merely caught a glimpse, Shiba Iemon would see a lot more than a glimpse, a clearer look on what kind of man the young Shiba Terumi was turning out to be: a warrior who treads the path of the sword and loves it sincerely and wholly.

"It must've been a fight to witness," He said, still smiling brightly. "I am familiar with the way she fights for I have met her before. Fought her before ..." 

He pauses as memories of that fateful bout come rushing to the forefront of his mind. All those blisteringly fast and utterly relentless strikes that eventually overwhelmed the defense he prized so much. 

_I could feel them again._

_Phantom aches from a wound that is no longer there._

"... Lost to her before." He chuckled softly, before he took a sip of his sake. "She was my one and only loss, Shiba-sama, and it was the best fight of my life."

He stared straight at his fellow Shiba's eyes.

"It might be dishonor to lose to a mere ronin but it is certainly not a shame to lose to such a sublime swordsman."

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Hyun
"Indeed, she was truly skilled, there is no mistaking that." Iemon nodded, recognizing the fire in the other man's eyes all too well. "The dishonor was less for the loss and more for the insult freely offered, which I feel there is little way to respond to openly, especially since the Unicorn Ambassador had the courtesy to keep the results of the duel to a minimum for the official records. Not that I am ungrateful for that, but it... Makes it almost better to try and move forward and not acknowledge it further, on the public scale." *Almost.* 

"Perhaps, then, even though you come to us later than I would have preferred, your timing is guided by fate. Knowing that you had faced such a foe and also been defeated is mildly alleviating to my still aching pride.

"Even without the full results of the duel being a matter of public record, I worry that the loss exposes a weakness in our Clan. That will *Not* Do. With your help, we shall as a whole correct this perception of a potential inadequacy, so that should others seek to test us, we shall be ready." 

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Anthony
With a pleased chuckle, the young Shiba bowed to the older one.

"I will endeavor to prove this perception wrong with every swing of my sword, Shiba-sama." He said, steel in his voice and excitement clear from the sharp grin threatening to split his face. Briefly, he relished the idea of matching steel with that ronin once again but he found his pride quite affronted by the thought of the public thinking that the Phoenix are poor swordsmen. He would not let that pass. 

"Though I feel I am compelled to ask, Shiba-sama, do you know the names of the swordsmen of note in this city?" 

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Hyun
"I am afraid that I do not. There had been a talented Crane I had heard of, but unfortunately they met their end due to their own hotheaded provocation of some of the more... Unsavory business that occurs in this city." The name of that samurai escaped Iemon at present, but perhaps it was worth inquiring further on. Later. 

"Either way, inquiries can be made to see what can be discovered on that account, if you wish. I hope you won't be too quick to go looking for a fight to prove yourself." He offered the admonition lightly, not wanting to provoke or command, but perhaps to guide slightly. Iemon's personal adherence to the Phoenix's outlook of pacifism may have been put to the test in the past months, but it was still something he held close to his heart.

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Anthony
"Worry not, Shiba-sama," He reassuringly said. "While I do not shy away from spilling blood, my interest in battle is an artisan's interest. I always seek to improve myself in the way of the sword but I will not draw my blade knowing it will harm my duty as a samurai of the Phoenix."

He was raised strictly by an uncompromising father who was also his teacher. Bruises and sore limbs have tempered him enough to restrain his desire to test his blade, and that fateful duel he had with the one-eyed ronin has only reinforced the lessons instilled in him. 

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