Donna
Tomura couldn't believe his luck, first impressions where everything and now he might have botched his with the Crane. They where traditional rivals of the Scorpion and did not seem to be that big of players in the city, but it was the Clan of his mother and, while he would never go so far to say he had bias towards them, he did keep in my to always be respectful, as long as it did not counter the intrests of the Scorpion. 

When he was finished with Adohiro, he made his way to the meeting room of the ambassador, stopping outside the door. A servant opened it and announced him to the ambassador, stepping in he took a deep bow.

"Doji-sama, I thank you for your hospitality."
Denise
"Come in, Tomura-san." The Ambassador's meeting room was a testament to Crane artistry. A single long table sat in the middle, simple yet elegant in its own way. The surrounding area was tastefully decorated with masterful works of art: from ceramics to paintings to bonzai. A finely bound copy of the Tao was on display as well, the type that would grace the halls of the Phoenix Embassy library.

Tending to it, flipping through the pages, stood the slight wisp of an old lady. Grey hair brought up into a simple, fashionable style, her kimono displayed the sky blues and whites of the clan she hailed from. Softly she hummed a little melody to herself. "The breeze always changes the pages. My apologies for the state of the room; I took the hour to rest, and I am afraid this place is a little out of sorts for the standards of a proper courtier, especially one with Crane blood in his veins." || Lore: Crane Clan 6, Genealogies ||

She picked up the cane sitting against the wall and began to shuffle toward the table, gesturing for Tomura to sit. That same pleasant face with piercing eyes fixed on the Scorpion, as if she could see through the mask to the face beneath. At the center of the table was a small wrapped furoshiki. "I cannot say a woman of my age has need of gifts, but standards are standards. For you. Our servants found this within our storehouses, and were prepared to break it down and dispose of it."

Inside was a cracked and shattered teapot, broken in such a way the distinction of two separate compartments within it was barely visible. Also within the furoshiki we're the following: three bottles of lacquer, a bottle of powdered hemp fiber, files, three whetstones, a small piece of flat ceramic, two brushes, a wooden spatula, and a vial of gold dust. "You seemed nervous when we first met. My hands do not have the stability for kintsugi, but it is among the preferred method of our clan to bring the mind into focus and calm."

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Donna
Tomura looked upon the gift and had to agree when it came to the Scorpion, the local Clan was a mess and a small part of him was wondering if this post was some kind of punishment, for what he did not know, of course such thoughts where quickly brushed aside. Beneath his mask he smiled, as if keeping a cool face if one could see under his fox mask.

"I thank you, Doji-sama, for both your gift and concern." He said silky smooth as if the earlier bungle never happened, "I'm afraid all I have is this," He took out a small pillow book, nothing too fancy or entricute, rather a plain dark blue booklet, "A collection of poetry, or a child's attempt at some anyway, written when I was visiting my mother's family in Jukami Mura, I haven't looked into it in years and thought prehaps it's time I parted with some childhood musings." He took a seat. "I was simply surprised Daidoji-san did not speak of my visit, when I accepted his invitation I had thought he cleared it with his superiors, but I am learning my friend can be quick to act." Such as offering himself as a Yojimbo, "I'll be sure to keep that in mind in the future, always helps to have someone to keep one out of trouble."
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Denise
"How quaint." After the appropriate refusals she accepted the gift. A servant would pour them tea, a blend popular in the Jukami Mora. She would take a small sip after dismissing the servant. "As I said, it is no fault of your own, Tomura-san. To expect the Children of Doji to purport themselves as proper samurai should never have to be a question."

Rika sighed again, readjusting her sitting position and wincing ever so slightly as she did so. Extended periods of sitting on the floors was not something the Doji had the joints to do anymore. Still, such was the way of the Empire. "I must say, when I first met you and learned of your 'friendship' to Daidoji Adohiro I was unsure if you were a fool or clever. But then I put the pieces together from my other reports. The saddle-giver and the lily-wearer. The mystery deepened."

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Donna
Tomura gave a simple chuckled at that, "Ah, the story of the saddle is spreading it seems, as for the lilies, I simply thought it was best to remember those who made such a lovely event possible, I never meant to offend anyone." He replied, his tone calm and light, "I would never presume to be clever, I just hope to preform my work admirably, however I would hope I'm no fool, but I suppose that's for my betters to judge I suppose." He shrugged, "Really, Daidoji-san was merely at the right place at the right time, our shared love of books and cats turned into a new friendship, it's hard to make bonds when you find yourself in a new environment, so our meeting was a blessing." 
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Denise
"No, the story of the saddle has not spread. Yet." The elderly Crane ran her fingers along the edge of her cup, staring past the Scorpion to a piece on display behind him. A sumi-e painting displaying the tale of a particularly rambunctious tanuki whose luck eventually ran out and he was cooked alive by the village he tormented. "From what I have gathered I believe every clan has had their Daidoji Adohiro at some point."

Her attention went back to the Scorpion in front of her. Rika's smile had faded, instead replaced with a quizzical countenance. "It leaves me with little time to rest. Tell me, Bayushi Tomura-san. What would the esteemed former caretakers of this city do with a samurai who displays such reckless disregard for the station he sits at?"

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Donna
Tomura pondered on the question, whether it referred to him or Adohiro was irrelevant, he was posed an interesting question and actually considered his answer.

"If it was me... I would try to see if his flaws could be used as a strength, find a project or task, some kind of posting, where such a reckless disregard could bring fortune, maybe in dealing with those who prefer blatant honestly, sent to those who are wary of masks and lies, thus throwing them off their game as it where, I would find something where his flaws may be a strength, waste nothing and no one."
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Denise
"A good response, Tomura-san. Always seek to bring strength from unexpected angles, even those which seem to be weaknesses at first glance." She smiled warmly at the Scorpion, nodding in approval. The elderly Crane closed her eyes as she considered her next words. "Keep this mindset and you might just make it to be my age."

The smile faded, and with it a bit of the grandmotherly charm she kept maintained. Another sip of tea followed, as her attention turned to another item on display: an elaborately decorated tanto, far too elegant for combat, wrapped carefully and lovingly in high quality white cloth as if cut from a robe. "And what if, despite your warnings to curb their destructive tendencies, they continue to pursue them to the extent it leads them to betray their duty, their loyalty to the clan they serve?"

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Donna
Tomura cocked his head, then rubbed the cheek of his mask as one would their chin when in thought.

"For one who betrays their duty and clan..." He repeated, then took a breath, "There is only one reward for a traitor, the only factor I would ask is how powerful is the direct family, then I would offer the dignity of seppuku, otherwise I would say execution, make an example so others no not to follow in their footsteps." He said detached, "Duty and Loyalty, not only tenants of Bushido, but the cornerstone of civilization, in my humble opinion."
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Denise
"All so very true, Tomura-san. We cannot afford to allow rot to fester within our ranks. Although . . . " The old lady languidly put up a finger, as if pointing out a particularly noteworthy brushstroke on a hung sumi-e. "Even if their life was a disgrace, their deaths can often be arranged such to their clan's benefit. I am sure you are no such stranger to this concept, are you?"

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Donna
Tomura couldn't help but smile under his mask, such plays where more often then not common in the Empire, deaths set up by Clans to protect reputations of the disgraced while serving the Clans intrests, wonderful little dramas. 

"Indeed," He said pleasantly, as if he found such things genuinely fascinating, "At that point, the skill of a playwright would be needed, as if finding the final act to a book that's nearly finished, I think that a Samurai would aspire to see every action they take, even their deaths, should be in service to Clan and Empire."
Denise
"A playwright! In my years I have never heard of one described so. Yet there is some truth in it." Rika chuckled at the analogy, seeming to truly enjoy their discussion. She contentedly sipped at her tea once more. "It is the unfortunate truth that there is a character in my story who needs a sufficient exit scene, and I believe it time to see if your clan and mine can create beautiful plays. Is that something a boy of your skill can handle?"

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Donna
Tomura smiled, trying to weigh the chances if this was a genuine offer, or some form of entrapment. "I do some amateur writing in my free time," He offered, "While I am merely a novice in the field, maybe I can help write a good script... If the offer of a collaborative work is truly what you wish." He offered, sipping his own tea, "My, this is a lovely vintage." He complimented 
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Denise
"Why thank you. I hoped it may taste reminiscent of home for you." She slowly brought up a hand with a closed fan to her face. Opening it, the depiction of a humble fisherman bringing in his catch, his net teeming with hundreds of fish all trying and failing to escape covered the Ambassador's lips. "I have heard of a certain expedition a Bayushi Yuto seeks to put together, to hunt some dangerous game. One of our samurai volunteered, but was denied by the previous higher authorities due to the danger it posed. It is well-known he has negligible skill in hunting or battle. I have reevaluated that stance, but would require someone to vouch for his usefulness in such an undertaking for it to have credibility."

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Donna
Tomura was only aware of one of Yuto's little hunts... He needed to have a meeting Silver-chan sooner or later. "I see, I'm sure Yuto-san would apreciate all the help he can get, being a magistrate in a city such as this, I don't envy the peacekeepeers," He chuckled, "I would love to recommend aid, who would the dashing hero be?"
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Denise
"Good. I am glad we can be of agreement. It is apparently a dangerous hunt out into the surrounding countryside, and since there will no doubt be Lion and Crab participating, I am certain one of them would take advantage of the opportunity to arrange an accident to a Crane. Sloppily, easily traced back to them of course." She continued to hold the fan to her face, the understanding that these words only had meaning so long as they both wished it to. The meaning was hopefully clear: kill them, and pin it on one of the Crane's adversaries. "And as to who the brave hero is, you have already met him. Clearly his skill was superior to yours if he offered his services as your yojimbo."

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Donna
Tomura sipped his drink, "I see..." He remained calm and collected, "He does seems to have a naivety to him, is marriage to another Clan not an option?" He asked, as if merely trying to gain a grasp of the situation, "It would not be difficult to imagine an accident would occur, however."
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Denise
"Therein lies the problem. None would see him as anything more than an insult after genealogies were shared revealing he is nothing more than an elevated *Peasant*." The disdain in her voice as she spat the last word was clear, a venom not seen in her comments thus far. The fan fluttered slightly. "Passing one's gempuku means to put behind the trappings of a child, and to put on the robes of a samurai. To have anyone claim to represent a Great Clan yet act in the manner he has is unacceptable."

The cup disappeared behind the fan, as Rika slowly sipped another drink of the tea. The hardness in her eyes softened somewhat, and the creases at the corners tightened as a light chuckle escaped her lips. "Tomura-san, Tomura-san. Do they not train the sons of Bayushi as they used to? In all this time you have spent delaying, letting the wheels in that head of yours turn looking for what to do, you still avoid the first and most important question any seasoned courtier would ask:

"Why should I? What gain is there for me?"

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Donna
To that Tomura cocked his head, "That is what I've been thinking of, why would the Crane, who are allied against us, be asking this of me... My own mind is telling me this is some sort of snare... But yes, my curiosity is asking, why should I do this?" He asked as if he was being asked to pass the salt, "So, Doji-sama, why should I?"
Denise
"Simply because we are allied with the Unicorn does not mean we do not have goals and aspirations of our own. The Crane are the Empire's beating heart, and thus none are beyond our interests." The elder Crane shifted again slightly, fluttering the fan a bit as she did so. "As you know, we built the laws upon which the Empire is founded. Surely there is some goal of yours that could benefit from the political weight we can bring to bear while still staying out of the primary conflict."

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Donna
Tomura took a sip from his tea, considering each word while savoring the flavor.

"Something as this, I would have to discuss with the powers that be... But their could be something arranged." He said after the sip, conspiracy to kill was not something to take, especially someone that one of the plotters considered likable, "I will make this wish known, and what happens on this hunt shall give you their answer, would this be satisfactory?"
Denise
"If that is how you wish this story to continue, I can allow it. Though expect any work in return from us to be equally distant if so." The fan finally shut, and the old lady smiled once more at the boy. "Well, I believe that settles our introductions properly, Bayushi-san. It has been a most interesting meeting with you, and I hope that we meet again soon."

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Donna
He gave a bow to her, "This meeting has been most enlightening, Doji-sama," The woman was a player to be feared, anyone in their world who reached such an age was a force to be feared, "I look forward to our next meeting, one can always learn from the wisdom of their revered elders." He smiled, then rose to stand, "It has been an honor, truly." 
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