Marvin
It came to be, that the Crane Embassy was reached by a letter, addressed specifically to Kakita Saaya and signed by one Ikoma Kazuyo. A name that had, briefly, made some small waves within the city, before disappearing with Zenmai, the prior Lion ambassador. Apparently, now she had returned.

*Honored Kakita-san.*

*My name is Ikoma Kazuyo and while you may not have heard of me, I have heard of you. Of your high, prestigious position, in spite of your young age and your most recent return to the colors of the Crane. What I have heard, has always sparked my curiosity and I wish to meet you, now that I have a chance to, as I return to the City of the Rich Frog. I return in order to record the history of this great change happening and to properly present the soul of the Lion.*
*If you were to be so inclined, it would be my honor to get to meet you over a cup of tea and perhaps even add you into my records of history.*

*In genuine admiration,*

*Ikoma Kazuyo.*

The letter seemed very friendly and cordial, but those who hear the name may have also heard about Kazuyo's exploits.
Emil
Kakita Saaya hovered over the reply, the quill pressing tight against her fingers. This wasn't something she was seemingly fond of but perhaps, just perhaps the bard could prove to be useful. After all, who's more in the loop than one in her position? If she held knowledge of any sorts, Kakita Saaya could make that worth while. Her eyes would however gaze the the honorific used. Either Kazuyo felt more comfortable than she should or she thought way too highly of herself. Then again, her clan was rustic in everything but war, something which was inherently rustic in itself.

*Ikoma Kazuyo-san,

We thank the Lion's kind words as we understand that the rarity in them makes them that much more sincere. I pray your journey back was one of grace. In 3 days time, when the sun peaks over the Dragon's Gate, you will find me at the Gate of Condescension. Until then.

Kakita Saaya, Magistrate of the Crane
Beneath lay her seal.*

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Marvin
Kazuyo was positively giggly as she was reading the response. She very much enjoyed the courtiers who wasted no time sneaking a little jab into their very first exchange. Most Lion Samurai had to wait years for a war or true battle. Some never saw any within their entire lifetime. But Kazuyo found her battlefield virtually everywhere and everywhen. And a new opponent had just presented herself quite plainly. Only the goal was not to kill them, but to make them aid you, willingly or unwittingly. 
The location was a curious choice. This close to the merchant quarter? This is a location *She* Would have chosen, if she had wanted to insult a Yasuki or Daidoji by implying that they are somehow connected to the lowly merchants there. Or was it the name alone? Establishing herself to be condescending.

She would swiftly write up a rather brief response to confirm the meeting.

*Honored Kakita-san,*

*It will be my pleasure to meet you there. You shall easily recognize me by the colors of my Clan, presented in appropriate splendor.*

For a moment, she tempted to write 'I shall wait for you there to return from your business in the merchant quarter', but that would perhaps be a bit too much of an insult to put down in writing. So instead, she finished with a simple:

*Until we shall meet under the arc of condescension,*

*Ikoma Kazuyo.*

Which was certainly something that could be taken in many ways, but not technically wrong.


And sure enough, three days later, Kazuyo would be arriving at the gate, gently fanning herself, within her mildly decorated litter. Stepping outside and letting her gaze fall over her surroundings. As far as she had heard, Saaya would be an attractive but sickly woman. Although the 'sickly' may simply refer to someone slim, when the word came from a Lion.

Kazuyo herself was dressed in a bright, sand and gold colored kimono with extensive, shining stitching. As always, she dressed as opulently as her station would allow.

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Emil
Soon, Ikoma Kazuyo would witness the bright, sky blue kimono decorated with a singular what body of a crane; the wings spanned over each shoulder, the tail flocking with each step of her bosom, each individual feather outlined in gold. At first glance, the head was absent but with a deeper scrutiny, the supposed head's location was exactly where the Kakita's own head was.

"Ikoma Kazuyo..." A voice emitted from behind as Kakita Saaya bowed gracefully. "You have requested my presence."

Kakita Saaya was indeed sickly but only to the detailed eye. After all, she like any Crane held the facade she desired to be seen. 
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Marvin
Kazuyo was almost taken aback for a moment, when she spotted Saaya. Or rather: her dress. Almost. What a ridiculous outfit! It was *Wonderful*. She wanted one just like it. Of course, not with a crane. But all the intricate detail that must have gone into it! It must have cost a fortune. And of course: it required a high enough rank to warrant wearing. She felt a sting of jealousy, but not enough to emerge in her expression, as she bowed to Saaya in return, making sure to bow just a little bit lower. After all, Saaya had been an Emerald Magistrate.

"Kakita Saaya-san. It is an honor to meet you."

Only when her head rose again, she actually fully looked at the person wearing the kimono. She now understand what the other courtiers had meant. Saaya was pale, almost as pale as her white hair, one could argue and slim on top of that. Though, they also weren't wrong about the other part: she could not deny that Saaya made the look work for her. She emitted a certain, controlled grace.

"Indeed, I wished to meet you. How could I not? An Emerald Magistrate of such young age. Who would then go on to return to the colors of Lady Doji? And a powerful figure in the courts, I heard. How could I not wish to see you for myself and whether you measure up to my expectations? That and, of course, more mundane reasons of political nature."
Her voice had just the slightest hint of a challenge in it, as if skeptical about whether Saaya could live up to what Kazuyo was expecting of her. One could also easily notice how, when Kazuyo rose to full height again, she did so with confidence and a slightly raised chin. As if to convey that she did not feel intimidated.
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Emil
Kakita Saaya was unlike the stereotypical Crane. Where many raveled in the poetry of words, danced in the petals of hidden meaning, and swam through the ocean of political dialogue; Saaya was different. Though she had the ability to recognize the reveling, she sought to own the venue. Although she could witness the dance for what it was, she sought to write the song. While she could understand the athletic dedication of swimming, she would seek to build the boat.
The Scorpion would notoriously categorize her clan as the actors, and themselves as the stagehands. Saaya however would retort that it is often the greatest of playwrights who were renowned as actors prior. So when Ikoma Kazuyo sought to play a game of writs, Saaya would struggle to impress. This was their art, the Lion had only begun to learn it.

"You humble me, Ikoma Kazuyo. Tell me, do you come on behalf of the Lion or yourself. You should know a city such as Ryoko Owari Toshi sleeps for very few." Saaya spoke softly yet her eyes lingered downward upon the Lioness, without waver. She continued to walk however, inviting Kazuyo to follow.
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Marvin
The Ikoma Bard was slightly annoyed, when Saaya simply started walking, without even making a formal offer for her to follow! For a Crane, the Magistrate was certainly not big on pleasantries, it seemed. But, as a bard, she was used to playing the role of the follower. After all, that was what they were supposed to be.

"For the Lion or myself? Why, there is no step or breath I take, that is not for my Clan and Empire. But I am here by my own choice, not by order. I am genuinely curious about the person you are. And I think we have much to offer each other. After all, who better to talk to about the Crane, than their Magistrate, who keeps a good eye on them? And what better ally could you have in your duties, than one who you can be certain is not... 'befriended' by the very people whose loyalty you may have to question?"

Following Saaya had an advantage, however. It allowed her to trail slightly behind when Saaya took off, to get another look at that kimono and the Magistrate within from behind, without it being obvious. She would have to find Saaya's tailor, later. And my, the Magistrate was certainly walking in it with grace. But she quickly hastened her step to be back at the Kakita's side. She knew her own weakness for getting distracted all too well.

"Might I ask where we're headed?"
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Emil
Everything the Crane did held purpose. This was taught to the young magistrate time and time again throughout her youth. However, it wasn't until much later in life till the astute samurai-ko would come to understand its true meaning. Every clan would profess this but the Crane were not shackled by any matter that would seek to come in conflict with their service to the Empire. The Unicorn had their wanderlust for the unknown, the Dragon often found their heads in a realm outside of our own, and the Lion fought with their emotions which often was exemplified by how desperately they reached for military might. So when Kakita Saaya made a motion which might be seen as peculiar by another, be assured, there was purpose.

"When Cranes migrate, Kazuyo-san..." Saaya paused glancing a look to the Lion with a soft bow. Doing this, Saaya would invite her counterpart to be a bit more familiar yet also gauge her reaction to know whether or not she was ok with doing so. "...They do so often at very long distances. Some will die from hunger, others fatigue, and some will succumb to those who prey upon their demise." Her eyes glanced once more to the bard but this time, accompanied by a soft grin. "Because of this, the Crane learns to not merely focus on their destination, a place they may never see but rather the meaningful journey they share with their flock." As they walked around the outskirts of the old section neighborhood, they would come across the limestone colored Dragon's Gate which was guarded by the five twining dragons carved around.
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"Beautiful isn't it? Tell me, do you remember why the "City of Green Walls" Begins and ends here at this very gate?" The gate was indeed fascinating and Saaya could be seen enamored by the architecture before her. The pale hand would raise gently, brushing the firmness of the green. So much have these dragons seen, so much have they been through and yet, their beauty towers in the darkness that surround these lands.
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Marvin
Kazuyo was not surprised when Saaya changed the topic. After all, she was steering the conversation towards some very serious topics and the Crane courtier likely wanted to test her further, before addressing such. She did, of course, respond to the brief bow with her own, as if to silently agree to lowering the formalities. Just a bit, of course.

The talk of Cranes could, on one hand, be seen as the response to where they were going, but also, suggesting something about the nature of the clan and maybe Saaya in particular. With Cranes, you could never be entirely sure, but Kazuyo had long looked forward to measuring up against them. She returned the smirk, seemingly enjoying the playful nature of the diversion.
"A Lion must seem outright lazy and wasteful in comparison. Never worried about how much time they have left, spending most of their day in near sleep. Though they never truly are sleeping, always a minor disturbance away from awakening with unlimited wrath. Always waiting. For the next hunt, or the next threat to destroy. A Lion lives for the end. Theirs or someone else's." She turned to Saaya, her playful smirk returning. "Very different animals, aren't they? I do wonder what a Lion would do, if it had to fly with the Cranes for a while, instead of waiting with its pride."

But the conversation was stopped, when they stopped in front of the Dragon's Gate. It really was a stunning sight. The years and labor it must have taken to build this was almost enough to even humble Kazuyo. Yes, she was very familiar with this structure. Coming here meant learning all about the previous military 'exercises' and 'skirmishes' which had happened to the city. Especially ones lead by the Lion.

"More beautiful than one can imagine. And yes, I am well aware: these used to be the original city walls, before they were taken in a skirmish with my very Clan, during the reign of Hantei the twentieth. Later replaced by the less beautiful, but taller ones outside. They say that when our Bushi saw the tower, they agreed, to a soul, not to use siege engines, but to take it in a costly, direct assault, so to preserve its beauty. Many of them died an honorable death taking it with blade and arrow, so that we may look upon it, now."
In truth, the Lion historians and bards suspected it far more likely that assaulting the tower with siege engines would never have worked, because it would out-range any assailing force, so an assault was unavoidable. The Bushi had afterwards likely been tempted to tear it down, so that it wouldn't pose such an obstacle when they would inevitably return, but decided against it because it seemed too great a shame to destroy it. Or perhaps they simply feared angering the other Clans. Nobody knew the certain truth, but it had been decided that the former story was in the Lion's interest to spread.
Emil
Saaya nodded in approval. Kazuyo was indeed the historian she was known to be. Learning, like many things, was an art form in itself and history was no different.

"You recall the histories well, Kazuyo-san." Breaking glance at the tower for the briefest of moments to also see Kazuyo's admiration for the structure. It warmed her spirit to find another outside her clan who could appreciate lurking beauty, even if it was in the form as something so blatant as the Dragon's Gate. 

"'To preserve its beauty'" Saaya would repeat softly as if to reflect momentarily on Kazuyo's words. Indeed, this is how the telling went and it was one in which Saaya enjoyed. "Perhaps the Lion might learn to fly with the Crane after all." She couldn't help but to purse her lips though of course, it was done with a nod of her head. After all, there were few greater honors in the Empire.

Wasting little time, she would continue to articulate what had come to create in her mind.
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"While the Lion are second to none regarding military might, Kazuyo-san; understand that what is pursued within the walls of Ryoko Owari Toshi call for a more... Delicate solution. I have no doubt that in the Lion's wake, restoration can exist. However, it is much more favorable for the City of *Green* Walls to have *Green* Walls rather than, this." She said as she waved her hand gesturing toward the walls surround the Dragon's Gate.

"Ryoko Owari despite its faults could at least be counted on at all times to be surrounded by the Imperial colors but now, the City of Green Walls is seen as nothing more than the City of Lies. This is why my clan supported the city to be governed by the Imperial line. What greater loyalty than this? Shining light in a place which has strayed far from it. Theft, gambling, drug trades, *And war*." Turning to face Ikoma Kazyo, Saaya's normal relaxed gaze would pierce with a more violent thrust, yet her typical stoic demeanor and soft voice would remain the same. "It would be best to remember this next time you implied I would ever need to question the loyalties of my clan." The magistrate would bow her head yet her eyes would hold. "Is there anything else my attention is needed to address?"
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Marvin
At the mention of a Lion flying with the crane, Kazuyo felt a wide range of conflicting feelings. Clearly, this was an attempt by Saaya to make her sympathetic towards the Crane courtiers. Or was it? The most difficult part, of the Game of Courts, was to realize where it ended. Because there, where the political games stopped, lied the true power to influence someone. Or to find personal happiness. Kazuyo's grandmother had always implied that the two were mutually exclusive.

"Thank you, Saaya-san. You honor me." She took a quick, almost familiar bow. Was this familiarity genuine? Or just part of the political game? Suddenly, she felt uncomfortably aware of how her grandmother had said, that distinguishing the two would be impossible for her, young as she was.

"And it is true. What greater wish could we have, than for the Imperial family to rule the city? To perhaps rule every city. I believe that in the depth of their heart, that every Lion Samurai yearns for a place of certain allegiance to the divine order." She allowed for a brief moment of contemplation to sink it. When Saaya's gaze challenged Kazuyo, she actually froze in place for a moment. This woman was well trained and more experienced than her. Did she want her to withdraw? To give in? Or was she challenging her? Regardless, Kazuyo had Matsu blood in her veins and she would not withdraw. Ever.

"But we both know that there are more souls, than just the loyal ones. The imperial family cannot afford to hold such a lucrative city, for it would draw the ire of selfish, tainted souls within the greater clans. They must hand over control of the city to one of the Clans, or the these tainted souls will see a opportunity to blame the divine, imperial families for every flaw in the City of Lies, despite them not having caused such. One of the great Clans will be granted control over this city. And no doubt, this choice will bear lasting consequences. Who do you think the Emperor will grant this city, Saaya-san?"
Emil
The Crane magistrate thought for a moment on the Bard's words. Apart of them concerned her for giving such credence or even stage to those who would ever blame the divine.

"If you know of any tainted souls so willing to speak against the Divine, state them now so they may be struck down. This is grave information you hold Kazuyo-san. Are you truly willing to traverse this path?" 

While Saaya lowered formalities, she would never become informal with the Bard. Their positions as they stood prevented even the slightest of comfortability. Thus, she would continue to scrutinize every point, sentence, and word that Ikoma Kazuyo would breathe. In doing so, there was hope that the Bard would back down from this foolish pursuit of hers.

"Assuming the Imperial families could not hold what is already theirs due to... "Tainted souls" Assumes these enemies are more powerful than the divine. But I'm sure a loyal, untainted bard such as yourself would never mean to imply such things... Right?" Saaya cocked her head upward with a darting grin. Each one of her expressions could tell a novel to the right eyes.

"As for the granting of this magnanimous city, it is not my place to assume such matters. As far as I know, the Imperials do not intend to relinquish it and if they do, I can assure that the Crane will support whatever decision the Emperor blesses."

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Marvin
Clearly, Saaya was not willing to talk plainly. She should have expected as much, she was a Crane, after all. But Kazuyo would not let herself be presented as a doubter quite that easily.

"None are stronger than the Kami, but it is not theirs to interfere against every evil. We live to be tested, after all. Sadly, I could not give you any names, for if I had them, they would be long caught. But certainly, there have been times where souls, whose virtue fails their station, have managed to inflict harm upon the order of our mortal world. And there are no doubt more of them, hiding behind masks of genuine loyalty."
It would, of course, be far too rude to directly mention the Gozoku in front of a member of the Crane, but the implication could be guessed.

"Of course there will never be a military or political uprising that could ever be successful in the long term. Not with virtually all of us being true servants to the emerald throne. Not with the steel of the Lion, ever loyal. But it is all of our responsibility to not allow them a foothold. To not gain power in any shape or form. Though, of course, if the Emperor saw fit to keep the city under direct Imperial control, I am certain he knows and understands something that I cannot and that it will be the best choice."

For now, Kazuyo relented on trying to get an opinion out of Saaya. Clearly, this would take longer. She let her calming tone imply that she was ready to drop the topic and move on, if Saaya so wished. Best to grow some roots first, before attempting to harvest anything.

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