Maurice
The day was bright and warm, which meant Ambassador Doji Rika found herself a bit more limber than usual. Every morning seemed to take a little longer for the Ambassador to be readied for court, and this fact was not lost to her. She once met an Isawa who told her the most powerful magic in the world would be power over time, and as the twilight shadows of her long years drew darker she felt more than ever the truth of those words and the powerlessness of mortal humans to fight against its inexorable flow.

But today was a good day, and she rarely had one of those.

Normally, she would greet visitors to her office, with an elegantly arranged display of art pieces and baubles to either comfort or agitate. Each piece on display would tell a little part of the grand story, the narrative she wrote in advance to lead her companion down. It was effective, meaningful, and powerful.

But today was a good day, which meant one less good day until there were no more at all.

The grey haired woman sat at the edge of the koi pond in the Embassy's outdoor garden, a small pouch of leftover foods from the previous day which she was slowly picking up between bent fingers and sprinkling down for the beautiful fish to enjoy. The new Crane would be directed to these gardens, to meet her here when he was able. Until then, she would watch the long-finned carp gently float through the waters, rising up to the surface whenever the stale rice crackers neared their paths.

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Scott
**A man approaches, elegantly dressed in his civilian attire. A cyan kamishimo with sigils of the crane notes his allegiance and status. His katana and wakizashi adorned by blue and cyan patterns rest on his side. It is undoubted, this man serves as a samurai of noble blood.**

**From first glance, a dominant and pride stature is to be noted, the way he walks and presents himself commands respect from those around him. Perhaps this person is too concerned with matters of appearance, or perhaps he is a man of great severity and purpose.**

**As he enters the garden area and approaches the elderly woman, he notices her comfortable manner and garments suggesting that she is the person he was supposed to meet. Such display could only belong to a person with high standing among the embassy. While bowing respectfully, he speaks...**

"I greet you, my lady! You must be Rika-sama, if i am not mistaken. I have been instructed to report here, to the ambassador of the crane. I am Kakita Kintaro, one of the many descendants of the Kakita family. My tutors and close relatives have deemed me sufficiently of age and education to offer my services to the crane clan in a more direct way today."

**He raises his head and assumes a stern and proud posture once more, awaiting the lady's response.**

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Maurice
Rika turned to acknowledge the man, smiling softly as she did so. The woman radiated a calm built from a lifetime of serving upon the front lines of court. Still it was suffused with the kindly bearing of a grandmotherly figure. "Kakita-san. Your insights do you well. I am *Doji* Rika, Ambassador to this city. Come, sit with me a moment. I have read the letters of introduction and am most glad to have you with us. We have much to do to facilitate control during these trying times."

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Scott
"Of course."

**He says and then slightly bows again in gratitude of the hospitality, after which he proceeds closer and sits along side the ambassador. **

"It is an honor to meet you, ambassador. One can only imagine how wise and skilled one must be to attain such rank as yours. I am humbled that you received me here today. Know that even if i am not that well versed in this world's politics, i stand eager to learn and aid our cause as much as i am able to."

**He quickly nods to show respect once more. Then, Kintaro reaches into his garments and reveals a small calligraphy set. He presents it to the ambassador. The set appears finely crafted, yet not extremely adorned or expensive from its appearance. It is about as good of a gift as one would expect from a samurai of Kintaro's social standing.**

"Before we begin, ambassador, please accept this gift from me. It is a calligraphy set that i wish to gift you for your trouble and to show my appreciation. I hope it is of use to you, and tends to your liking."

**He places it near the ambassador, and awaits her response.**

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Maurice
"Of course. Let's get this over with." Rika's countenance fell slightly and she sighed. It did not seem to be centered in the giver or the contents of the gift. After the requisite refusals she took the set and placed it to the side. "Now, dearie, to the hard questions, the ones not in the pretty papers I received. What brings you to this city? Surely you know its reputation, and the dangers it poses."

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Scott
**Kintaro raises an eyebrow to the response towards his gift. Unable to understand what the reason might have been, he did notice and sense a slight negativity from that. He did not take much offense, yet he will probably remember that in the future. Since, most likely than not he will be pondering the moment and the gift after the encounter, to further analyse if he did something wrong.**

"Bah."

**He let out a quiet expressive sigh of his confusion. Then, he proceeded to answer after the question.**

"My purpose here is to serve my clan, repay the kindness it has given me and spread the crane's blessings around the land. Such storied reputation and dangers also equal to great potential and opportunities i would hope. Nevertheless, I am here to serve. If the crane prospers, i will also. After all, it is my duty."

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Maurice
"Are you now? Well we shall have to put that to the test." The elder Crane chuckled to herself at the younger's enthusiasm. The eagerness of youth was so heartening to see. "As so eloquently written in *The Sword*: your blade will be where it must only when you can see where it must not. Ryoko Owari is riddled with this truth.

"As you are no doubt aware, there was a debacle last winter which led to this city falling under Imperial control." The friendly disposition of Rika shifted, the courtier of Doji's grace awakening as she now spoke. "Governor Otomo Tanimaru decreed the city's stewardship to fall towards whichever of the Great Clans impresses him the most over the course of the year. We could not maintain this holding, but only a fool would let that dissuade them from acting. The Unicorn seem to have the strongest claim towards this city, and as their allies we support them. But as they would say, the winds are fickle. We go where the power goes.

"That does not mean we are without worry merely because we sit to guide rather than control." The Crane Ambassador rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully. "The Phoenix—our oldest allies within the Empire—have been reticent to speak with us, and I cannot help but imagine the reason is due to a messy altercation they had with the Unicorn, one Ambassador Utaku-san is unwilling to share. We struck an uneasy agreement with the Mantis as well to secure Unicorn claims, and must find a way to maneuver our power over them before they do the same to us.

"Then there are the immediate concerns." Rika turned dour, the more unpleasant business at hand to discuss. "Two of our samurai have been murdered, both of your family name. Kakita Kiyoko has been spearheading the investigation as to their deaths. We also have the unique opportunity to shape what grows from the opium cartels, alongside the Unicorn. I received notice that their Ambassador wishes to meet to discuss these matters. Asahina Tadayasu was working on civil relief efforts before the assault on the cartels and is likely in the best position to work along with this initiative."

The Crane Ambassador stared off back into the koi point, watching the elegant fish float through the water as though they were kites upon the wind. For all their grace and beauty, they were but carp. Food for the masses, dressed for court. "So, Kakita-san. How would you see that your efforts allow the Crane to prosper, knowing matters as you now do?"

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Scott
"Hmm, most intriguing."

**Kintaro uttered, then consumed in silent thought, he gazed at the koi pond and the surroundings of the garden for a while.**

"I will do what i must, what my clan demands of me. Though, should i have choice in the matter, then i would reckon starting from something small would serve us well. Perhaps something more of an internal affair, one that will strengthen my bonds with our other members, create the reputation and gather the support i will require to be of use in later, bigger struggles."

**Pondering on it a bit, his manner suddenly becomes strict and he continues with a slightly raised voice...**

"Yet, i will rejoice even at the most furious challenge as long as it is for a just cause. I will show no cowardice in the face of any opposition. I may lack the experiences but my fury is enough to strike a blow when needed."

**In his mind, the slight display of courage shall dissuade any claims or thoughts of him being weak or hesitant. Then he resumes to a calm and relaxed state, proceeding.**

"However, throwing away ones life never reaches any conclusion of meaning. I would perhaps start with the investigation on my two dead cousins. That should be a matter where i can prove useful and an experience that will grant me good faith from the rest of our clan. If the investigation succeeds, i will also avenge my fallen family and restore order in the land."

**Looking down to his blades, he fixes them into a comfortable position while he speaks. They remind him older matters of law and order he had to deal with, along with the various tales and teachings of his betters.**

"It is also a fitting assignment according to my education. I have been well taught in that line of duty. Tell me ambassador, what would you have me do? Or what would be wiser for me to follow according to your opinion?"

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Maurice
The Doji listened intently as Kintaro spoke, carefully watching the shifts in his body language. Only once she was certain he was done would she speak. "Well said, young man. We are the shining center of Rokugan, the immovable anchor around which the Empire turns. Yet without acknowledging where it is the heart each samurai pulls we cannot control the heart of the clan. I think it would be wise for you to meet with Kakita Kiyoko and pledge your assistance to her aims.

"I also suggest you take some time to walk the streets of this city, to learn of its ways and the samurai who call it home. To guide the path of the city we must understand who makes it up." She nodded sagely, then smiled once more. "Is there anything further you require?"

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Scott
"Then, that i shall do. Thank you ambassador!"

**He nods to respect.**

"Now i have my directives, a purpose to fulfill and a way to aid our clan. In the meanwhile, I shall also invest the proper time to familiarize myself with these new surroundings i find my duty to call me to. It is a wise suggestion, i will tread carefully and stabilize my presence here. Information will be a key to that."

**Then, standing up he turns to the ambassador, bowing he continues...**

"I shall prepare a letter for Kiyoko-san and offer my aid to this investigation. I do not believe i have any further questions on that matter, except perhaps if there is further information about the case that i should be aware of. If not, Kiyoko-san will probably brief me and pass on to me the details if she accepts my assistance.

**Nodding quickly in agreement with himself a couple of times, he rises with an inner thinking expression of furrowed brows and then addresses his thoughts.**

"Only, since my services will be required here for a while, i will have to find more permanent accommodations for me and my servants. Should there be no further assignments or anything that you may require of me, ambassador, i will make my leave and tend to that."

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Maurice
"Very well, Kakita-san. If you require any assistance in accommodations, you need only ask and we can ensure it is cared for." Rika nodded in dismissal at Kintaro, indicated he was free to leave and care for his duties—both personal and clan.

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Scott
"I will if needed. Thank you for your hospitality and your assistance!"

**After a final bow, he departed to tend to his duties.**

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Maurice
*A nice boy,* She thought to herself as she dismissed him with a bow of her own. The elder Doji almost stood to totter off when one of her yojimbo approached. "Doji-sama, pardon the minor confusion. The other arrival wishes to meet with you if you are able."

"Thank you, Migi-san. It is no confusion at all. Meeting him here is far more calming to the soul than at a desk." Rika sat herself back down, casting a few more small handfuls of stale rice cracker at the fish, and waiting for his entry.

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