William
Yuina had only just arrived at the city, but her teacher, Iuchi Hoshi, had left distinct instructions that she was to check in with local administration first thing on arrival. She promptly arrived through the gate, and found herself uncertain about directions, but fortunately she was well used to going for a run. It was but an alternative solution to her unfamiliarity, and while this might have taken a bit longer than asking for directions, she was still probably faster than if she casually walked from the gate.

Finding the main residence, she also knew she would have to leave Tsubasa outside any of the important areas. Not only did she not yet have permissions on where she could bring the small bird, but she knew better than to casually bring the mimicry bird into a meeting with important people. She ensured that the staff at the entrance was at least informed that the bird was not exactly wild, Tsubasa was related to her duties. She then focused on ensuring word of her arrival was presented so that an appointment could be arranged, she had no problem waiting if she'd arrived at a bad time. There wasn't anything to do but wait anyway, her teacher had made it very clear that this came before doing anything else.
Michelle
The ashigaru who met Yuina at the gate summoned a servant, who listened intently to the explanation of the bird, while taking in its size and disposition. He bowed, then took the myna to be temporarily kept in the pigeon coop kept onsite. The Iuchi would be escorted into a waiting room, where word would travel to the Ambassador for a meeting.

Soon, a young servant girl would appear, bowing respectfully to the floor and keeping her eyes downcast as she spoke. "Honored Iuchi-sama, Utaku-sama will see you know. Please follow this one."

Unicorn Ambassador Utaku Kazuko's office was not designed to impress. A window to let in sunlight, a door behind to provide quick access to the room from outside—and quick exit. To one corner sat a suit of armor on its stand, a rack for a daisho containing only a wakizashi, and a proudly displayed Saddle Cutter. The centerpiece was a large, exotic wooden desk with intricately engraved silver patterns. Papers were neatly stacked on the floor to one side of the desk, and a tea set with three cups sat in the center.

As the servant girl introduced the Iuchi, the woman seated behind the desk gestured for her to enter toward a cushion in front of the desk for her to sit. Kazuko wore a simple kimono of grey and lavender, but the left sleeve was torn to the point of being effectively missing, displaying a long, fresh gash along her upper arm. As the Iuchi approached, the Battle Maden's severe countenance—heightened by the occasional twitch of discomfort in her eye—would seem to bore into and through her.

Standing beside her was the source of her discomfort. A small woman dressed in fine quality but simple servant's clothing was currently wrapping the wound in clean bandages. The woman shot a glance at the little servant girl who brought the visitor in, and she quickly stepped in to place the cups in front of the Ambassador, the Iuchi, and lastly the woman. After pouring the dark brown liquid into them in the same order, the girl bowed to the floor once more and made her way out, closing the doors behind her.

Once this was complete, Kazuko began to sign gently, as the woman to her right spoke. "Welcome, Iuchi-san. I hope the journey here was agreeable. I am Utaku Kazuko, Ambassador to Ryoko Owari. The woman speaking is Fuyuko-san. She serves as my translator, as I am unable to speak after attempts on my life. Any words conveyed by her are my words; please consider them with the same weight."

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William
Yuina said nothing to the servant, just following with her eyes open curiously looking around. Not quite what she expected, but she honestly didn't know what she might have expected either. The halls at least didn't seem the most friendly to birds, unfortunately. Well, that happened sometimes, it wasn't as if most halls were designed for birds.

The office might have been something else, though. The window and door made for potential about being friendly with birds, so it impressed her a bit. The open area would also be good for a bird who needed to stretch their wings indoors, while the firm decorations visibly presented a lot of potential places to rest too. The paper.. Not so much, but she was used to a lot of papers herself.. Her studies generally came with it. Overall, this made her feel comfortable in a proper room organized with a strong sense of respect.

She paused to bow before approaching once she was sufficiently introduced, grasping her right hand with her left hand to give it a better sense of coordination in her bow. Then she took a seat as instructed. She did notice that her company was in discomfort, but she wasn't one to bring up other matters when there was matters of importance to otherwise go over. The ambassador would bring it up if it was something to be discussed. That didn't stop her from being curious, but nothing said she had to vocalize that curiousity.

The other woman speaking up was also a curiousity of a similar sort, but another thing not due for conversation. "Thank you. Yes, the trip here was at least uneventful. Oh, and before it is forgotten, my teacher had asked me to personally bring a letter for you. I'm not sure about the process you have going on, and I don't know what the letter is about." She expected bringing the letter was supposed to represent her work in communications, as it felt like some sort of passing lesson. The letter then might then be rather casual, but she wasn't about to fail such a lesson.
Michelle
The Ambassador would accept the letter, raising an eyebrow in curiosity as she quickly opened it to scan its contents. Content in noting that it was nothing that would change the current situation in the city, she nodded in thanks and set it to the side for now. No need to be distracted when she had guests to attend. "Your diligence is noted, Iuchi-san. To have traversed this distance with the letter not showing the faintest sign of being on the road is impressive."

It was true, most letters brought from long distances would have some sort of wear from exposure to the elements over time. Clearly this woman took great care with the item's safety. Now to see if she could put that same diligence to work in the city itself. "Your papers I received in advance of your arrival mention you as some sort of courier, is that correct?"

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William
She expected her teacher would have handled correspondence, but that didn't leave her knowing what was actually said. She also knew her teacher well enough to worry that her teacher would not have let her get away with insufficiently communicating. "I'm a bird trainer, mostly for Myna. They seem like ordinary sparrows, but they are much more talented. When in the care of humans from a young age, they pick up the talent to mimic words. Apparently, they are even capable of mimicking more musical vocals too. The message must be brief, but it means they can be trained to vocalize a brief message for another. That is why I left my bird companion outside, I was taught it is inappropriate to bring a mimicry bird to an important meeting who might then soon after repeat something private in a public area. They can mimic the words, but they don't understand them."

She paused, realizing she was trailing off on her passions here. "I'm also a shugenja, I know spells that support the bird training process. Oh, I guess they would help with doing courier work too, as would my running ability. Yes, I can do message deliveries too, though I'm not good at carrying anything heavy. My right hand.. Can be a bit limited in what it can still do now..." She paused, considering if she should go into details about that, and then decided she'd spoken enough about herself for now. If more details were sought, they would be asked for.

Instead, she simply inclined her head respectfully. "I hope that my skills might still be of service here for the benefit of the clan."
Michelle
"Interesting. These myna, is their gift for mimicry commonly known?" The Unicorn Ambassador was genuinely intrigued by the woman's words. The use of animals for utility was not a foreign concept for the Unicorn; many a culture they had encountered used them to carry messages to and from tied to their feet, for example. But the idea that a bird could be trained to actually speak the message was interesting indeed. Ideas began to form in her mind as to how she could use this.

The servant girl would return with a small platter of boortsog, before silently shuffling off back into the main residence. With her free hand Kazuko ate one before she continued. "I send many messages as Ambassador. Having new methods of communication is always valued. Though perhaps it is best we begin by explaining the situation of the city, yes? Have you done your diligence in learning of this city before your arrival?"
William
She considered the question, but she wasn't that certain. "I didn't know about their mimicry until I met Tsubasa, but they have been getting around a lot. They only learn to mimic as almost a role-model experience. If they end their youth without any reason to depend on humans, they can no longer be taught to mimic voices. I've had some Nature's Touch experience with them, the spell? They speak to try and be like those they depend upon. Without that happening, they just become independent and wild. That might make it harder for people to discover this fact."

Wild or dependent, she knew it was a meaningful distinction. "It's this role-model thing that makes them possible to train, they want to be like those they count upon. Fulfil habits, meet those they depend upon, they are then willing to be taught to listen to a whistle for a few distinct commands. As they are about the same size as a pigeon, they could still be taught to carry something small to go with the verbal signal. They are skilled at such mimicry so much, they can even mimic song and humming if the message is to be more obscure. The only complexity is the training of habits, reinforcing patterns they would be expected to follow in preparation for something to happen. It means they can't work over as long distance as other messenger birds, but they could be taught to fly anywhere in a city this size."

She considered what she knew of the city, it wasn't much. "I learned there were all of the other clans here, and that there were some ongoing efforts to make things more.. Comfortable for our own? A city with tension under a sense of formal order, the city of lies. I.. Didn't get to learn much more before I was sent here, I suspect there were concerns that something might have changed in that time." She also knew her teacher would expect her to communicate to properly discover things for herself, not giving her all of the answers. She had rushed straight here, without research on arrival.
Michelle
"I understand. Then let me provide you with the details. The city is under Imperial control, at least until Winter. We are to do whatever is within our power to ensure we are the best candidate for stewardship by that time." It sounded simple when she said it. Yet much like the Iuchi girl's discovery of her pets' mimicry, such a thing was unheard of until they encountered it here. And gaining the city would be the easy part at that; holding the city would be a true accomplishment. "The Crane and Mantis stand with our bid for control, the Scorpion against. The Phoenix are likely against us as well, while the Dragon and Crab continue to play at neutrality. Finally, the Lion remain sharp of claw and eager to maul the Scorpion, but will likely present an obstacle in our long-ranging plans."
William
It was like her teacher has mentioned, there would be some important need for coordination.. And that would require sufficient communication. "What then is going on.. To appear the best candidate to the Imperials? Is there anything important to focus upon?" Her curiousity left her wondering about the details, because there was a lot of open nothing that could apply for what might be involved. The Unicorn were awesome, but how exactly do you even prove that to someone somehow not already convinced? She wasn't the diplomatic sort, she didn't understand what was involved, but it sounded like a serious political venture somehow.

Of course, as a competition, there was a consideration towards any aspiring rivals. "Why are the Phoenix always causing problems?" As a shugenja of the Unicorn, she was well versed to the perspective of the Phoenix being in the way. They seemed to like being in the way, and it seems that did not change in this city. This led to her exasperated sigh, a clan that simply seemed determined to not realize there were some really nice alternatives.. If only they were open-minded enough to actually pay attention. It sounded like they could even possibly get along well with the Lions.. But hadn't thought of that idea either. No one else wanted to.. Communicate with each other. Her teacher might have had thoughts about that.. Especially if this was already known back home, despite no one telling her.

She still had more questions, more than the few she just keeps asking, but she wasn't sure if that would be appropriate. "I'm ready to do what I can to ensure this works out for us. I thank you for this chance to help out with this goal, to show that the Unicorn have lots of potential." She bowed once again, a careful displace of grace in motion. She didn't know exactly what would be expected of her, but she still loved the chance to actually accomplish supporting something this meaningful by her own ability.
Michelle
"The task set before us is a complex one. We must bring peace to this city. Were this our own lands, where the importance of law and just action are ingrained from samurai to hinin, such a trial could be completed in weeks, if not days." The mindset of the Unicorn Magistrate was straightforward. A problem arose, its cause was discovered, and matters were settled. The only difference from who raised the concern would be whether the Magistrate himself considered the request or one of their yoriki or doshin. Kazuko was not a Magistrate, but similar application of compassionate justice applied to leading an army. She had hoped these lessons could be applied to her assignment.

She sighed. To an extent, they could. However this city was far too broken and rotten to accept the sort of help the Unicorn were born to provide. At least not yet. "However, the City of Stories is not so easily brought to heel. For too long the Scorpion have fostered a community of infighting and division. We have made great strides to convincing the populace of our goals, but it will be an ongoing effort to stamp out those who resist us while proving our intentions to those eager to distrust."

The question as to the Phoenix was one that Kazuko often wondered herself. The story of when the Unicorn had first returned to Rokugan always spoke of the Crane being the clan who interceded to prevent the wrath of the Empire from falling upon them. It was unsurprising the narrative favored the Emperor's Left Hand, such was their way and they did not understand how to be better. However it was a shugenja of the Isawa who, after seeing the respect paid by the ragged survivors of the Shadowlands at the Shrine of the Ki-Rin, offered the first hand of peace to the Children of Shinjo. Were it not for his efforts to parlay with Champion Shinjo Nishijin Doji's Fan would never have arrived to the Crane Courts.

How far they had fallen since then. What began as elated joy at the return of a lost sibling slowly gave way to jealousy and contempt. Now, the same Elemental Council that acknowledged the Iuchi could commune with the kami stood in the way of her people's future in the Empire. "The Phoenix fear that which they do not understand, and refuse to understand that which they do not control. They live in a world of their own hubris. I pray they see the error of their ways before it is too late."

There was a distaste in the words which Fuyuko dutifully translated, an anger simmering over the situation between the two clans. It was clearly a subject on which the Battle Maiden felt strongly. Kazuko took a moment to take another of the boortsog and chew it thoughtfully. "Now, as to your tasks. Your skills have the benefit of being inoffensive. It is possible to use this messaging of yours and offer it as a service to other clans who may have need of it. Any large-scale project they wish to begin will require reliable communication chains. Insert ourselves as that reliable force, and our reputation in the city continues to grow."
William
She nodded through the entire explanation, getting a feeling for its complexity. "It is like my teacher said, problems are solved easily by bringing people together, to forge connections. It is through division that easy things become much harder." Communication could then bridge the gap, to cause connections among people. She was even well aware that her name itself even meant connections. It was to say that she might not need to be the one pulling out the right words to make things better like a courtier might, but that contributing to the connections that brought people together could foster a way for the right words to have more impact.

Between the Scorpion and the Phoenix, she was actually worried how much the later would be a greater annoyance to her efforts. The scorpion would just foster division, even before plain reason, up until it was simply impossible to accomplish because it was simply in their defiance. That itself implied there was no reason in putting effort directly to the scorpion, that it would be more efficient to leave them to the last once the city was otherwise unified. The phoenix however would not turn down connections for the same reasons, there was instead purpose to actually bringing them into a sense of unity.. But they would be the most challenging to then accomplish a connection with due to the same mention of fear. All because they were that stupid. She was certainly nodding through the details of the Phoenix then as well.

When this brought attention to her personal duty, she stopped nodding and simply listened attentively, much like she would with her teacher prior, only speaking once the ambassador was done. "So foster improved connections for messages with the other clans, that makes sense. To improve on communication, to be a key to bringing the clans together. This is probably what my teacher sought, what she meant by a chance of greater scale of connectivity. I will do my best, then, to seek a means for unity."
Michelle
"Very well." A pause as an idea struck the Ambassador. She took a parchment and began to apply ink to it, before handing it to the Iuchi. A fresh set of concrete orders to counterbalance the more nebulous she had received. "Perhaps a display of your skills would be useful as well.

"You may have had the pleasure to pass through our bazaar outside the city, and if not through it you no doubt saw its majesty." The singular largest source of Unicorn clan presence and wealth outside the Ide Residence itself. A stain the Scorpion likely wished to erase if they could, as it pulled the economic lifeblood outside their walls and merchants. "In accordance with our wishes it was set near the gate which bears our clan's name. However, that places it on the opposite end of the city from where our samurai—and by extension the other clans who share in its upkeep and security. Ide no Suio Kenza is the proprietor of the bazaar; I would have you meet with him and arrange a method of expeditious communication between it and us."
William
She pondered the depth of such a duty briefly, the consideration of what this would imply. For training purposes, it would mean bringing suitable Myna to both locations, so that they would be adjusted to going between both. It was a long walk between both locations, but she did like her hiking opportunities. It was the location that was the most meaningful within itself, a bit of a rough edge just on the outskirts of common civilization. Of course, back home, that was where she'd found reason to visit from where she found Tsubasa originally. The less urban feeling might even make some of the Myna feel more at home, Tsubasa included. Overall then, it was a very fitting opportunity considering her lifestyle before. There was also the advantage that it was Unicorn controlled in both locations, so this technically could not be any easier either.

She nodded her reply with a slight bow. "I shall see to it. Thank you for this opportunity." This would involve making connections in both locations, the most prominent sounding to be from the mentioned Ide no Suio Kenza. That's the part she had to worry about the most, but it certainly was not a problem she could possibly hope to be spared. Her teacher had constantly made that concept clear, even having given her the letter to deliver here as an example to lead into that. She could in that way consider this a message delivery to the mentioned individual.. And ponder how things would end up going from there. Hopefully, there would be no problems with her making arrangements for a few Myna in training to join in at the Bazaar's daily lifestyle.
Michelle
"Good." Fuyuko's ministrations finally completed, the Unicorn Ambassador waved off the servant's medical attention. That was all matters of import concluded. A final nod toward the new Iuchi. "If you have no further questions, you are dismissed. See to one of our servants and they will prepare a quarters for you, either here in the residence or in one of our yurts. May the Five Winds be ever at your back, Iuchi-san."

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