Karen
Today was a vastly different approach from Yutos usual meetings. Preferring to do things in a more friendly informal setting, it was now the opposite, something few deemed he wasn't good at. Though a face of confidence rested on the Scorpion, not that it could be seen under the mask. Usually the Magistrate wore a black half mask resembling a wolf's mouth, but it seemed that cover up was nowhere to be found. Boasting much more shine than the old, this current mask resembled more of an ape. It was gold with black and red accents, with sharp teeth that curved down and upward. It was a vicious looking mask but more ornate than the last one he owned, its most notable feature was the third eye between the two. To Yuto this was him assuming a new and more appropriate identity, as this mask covered the entirety of his face. 

Having chosen a day with exceptionally good weather, the Magistrate made their way to the Mantis embassy alone. In his hand was one small box and on top an even smaller container, balanced perfectly in the palm of the man's big palm. Rokugo walked with a certain stride, known to wear one's heart on their shoulders, he did so proudly. Usually he slouched but today he stood straight. 

Giving a simple nod to the guards, he presented his chop, a personal stamp with his name, "I'm here to see the Ambassador Moshi Mai-sama, this letter covers the details of my visit, if you wish to give it to her." Handing the guard his letter, he'd wait patiently outside until being instructed further. Depending on if word spread quickly, his visit may have been expected, of course he wouldn't assume. As the Magistrate waited the fellow simply enjoyed his time under the sun, appreciating the blessed weather. 

There was a moment he looked down at his clothing, making sure he was tidy and presentable. Yuto was getting used to wearing more formal and courtier attire, spending less time with tea in his hand rather than a sword.

Wearing a blush kimono with the Bayushi mon in blue over the left side of his chest. He wore a midnight black hakama, holding it up with a teal obi. Over this attire was a cherry red Haori, with the mon of the Scorpion in black on its upper back. While usually his hair fell down to his shoulders and further below, the Magistrate had it slicked into a topknot behind his head. He looked like a new man completely, wearing different attire, a new mask, if it weren't for his distinguished build they might not have believed he was Rokugo Yuto. The truth being he was desperate to prove one could conduct themselves properly in a formal situation. Who did the Junshin have to prove this to? 

The short and long answer: **Himself** 

||
Jeffery
"Mama Mai, there's a Scorpion at the door." 

Gozu reported in to the ambassador, who was outside in the gardens. She was squatting down over a little wooden perimeter, where a massive centipede skittered and patrolled the area. Mai seemed to be enjoying the antics of the creature, watching it crawl up the walls, only for the woman to gently nudge it back into box. "Oh? Which one?" 

"Rokugo Yuto-sama," Gozu said, "He provided a note." Mai took it, and looked it over. Her smile dampered a bit. "I thought I told that Junichi fool that I wasn't interested in being involved in this nonsense... Fine, let him in, I'll take him here in the garden."

"Shall I prepare some tea?"

"Fortunes no! Have you tasted your tea? Have Maki do it, Gozu-san. And make sure there's enough for you and her, too." Gozu nodded, and headed off to fetch Yuto. 

When Yuto was brought out and announced, Mai was still relaxing over her little centipede pit, and gave a respectful nod to the Scorpion Magistrate. "Well, well, if it isn't Rokugo Yuto-san. I was wondering when the Scorpion were going to come around to pester me." Mai flicked her centipede over onto its back, which quickly wrapped around her arm and threatened to poke her with its venom, but ultimately chittered and wriggled about. 
"This is Muku-chan, by the way, the pet I told you about. She'd say hi, but she's much too hungry. I hope you don't mind if I feed her while we get this business sorted?" 

Mai motioned to a little wooden cage, where a plump rat squeeked nervously. 

"Now, while tea is prepared, let's get this going. What can I do for you, Rokguo-san?"

||
Karen
Having been summoned into the embassy, he followed behind the servant leading him to the Ambassador. A smile hidden under the mask as Yuto laid eyes upon the woman, giving a deep bow as they greeted one another. Upon looking back up, he took notice of the centipede as one's face filled with an ecstatic expression. If it weren't for the mask he'd have been caught dumbfounded, perhaps there was some use to it. 

"I'd have come to pester you sooner my lady but I've been tied up in other affairs. Gladdens me to see you're in good health since we last met, and I must say. Being in the presence of an exotic creature is an honor, it's not everyday you see such a spectacle. Oh and Muku-chan looks splendid as well." 

A little joking compliment to set the tone, he wasn't so much sure if Mai was in bright spirits to see him. The last time they spoke the alliance was still in order, but now it had been done away with. Hopefully he'd be able to get the desired results from this meeting. Nodding his head at her question of feeding her pet, Yuto would have no issues. The man was known for his patience after all. 

"Before I begin my pestering, I'm determined to give you something. If you recall the last time we spoke I offered my services as Magistrate to you and your clan. Yet I failed to truly display my sincerity in those words." 

Stepping forward but making sure to keep a comfortable distance, he took hold of the smaller wooden container. Setting the slightly bigger one down by his feet, he'd bow in offering it. The box he offered was small enough to be held in the palm of one's hand and easily slid open from the top. 

"While the Scorpion and Mantis are not formally joined in union, it does not disclose the promise I made to you Moshi-sama. Therefore I wish to give something of extraordinary value to me."

When she opened the small box, she'd have seen the Rokugos former veil. His dark red almost black half wolf mouth mask, a symbol of his identity.

Closer inspection of such a relic one would have seen the aging and wear on the item. This was no replica or fake, it was the mask Yuto carried for years. It'd answer the question as to why he wore another mask in the first place. Mai would have recognized the artifact from their recent encounters, for him to give the mantis such a thing meant a great deal. 

"It means a great deal to me, I didn't receive such a thing until my Father truly accepted me as his son. That and I must say it was much more comfortable to wear than this one." 

Lifting the mask he currently wore up above his head, Yuto wore a soft smile as he hoped the Ambassador would accept the gift. There was a custom to deny and offer three times, but he felt this was an exception to such a tradition. 

||
Jeffery
"And Muku- Oh! Bayushi no Rokugo-san, you dog!" Mai chuckled, quite caught off guard by the flirtation. She was used to _doling it out,_ but recieving it? Not so much. "You're not going to flatter me into whatever you want, you know. But, do keep trying!" She chuckled once more, and listened in to what he wished to say. 

Yuto spoke of sincerity in his words, and for a moment, Mai had a sinking feeling. She wasn't sure what he was getting to, less so when he produced the little box for her to take. "What is..." She took the box in hand, curiosity getting the better of etiquette. 

And then, it was revealed. A mask. _His_ mask. If his story was to be believed, the first mask he received upon his gempukku. A dozen different worries and emotions hit the woman; she was no expert in the ways of the Scorpion, but... This was big, wasn't it? To hand over one's mask and such. She went to look up at him, and- 

-Lady Sun, he's showing his true face, too?? 

Mai was conflicted, and her anxiety was running rampant. What did it mean? Was he trying to... Well, no, this couldn't be _that._ And if it was, it was a trap, surely. She was a widow, and a brute, and flirt and a killer and so many other things, surely this was not anything but a ruse. But what if it wasn't? What then? Should she decline, or would that be rude? Naturally it's a trick to show that goodwill was dismissed as a means to undercount the Mantis reputation, or to imply some sort of issue, or -what if this is a distraction? Junichi had been calm, but this could be a trick, she might be about to get her neck slit, or-

Mai exhaled, a shallow, shaky breath leaving her. "Bayushi no Rokugo Yuto-san," She said softly, "I... Do not know if I can accept this. If I am right, to give such a thing means... Well, it can mean a lot of things. I'm afraid I'm not sure if you're implying what I think.."

||
Karen
Unlike before this time Yuto was bolstering with confidence, almost unrecognizable! After lifting the mask, one's eyes never strayed from the ambassador, he was serious in this offering. It was a good sign to see he set the tone and pace of their conversation, it'd be much harder if the mantis were irritated by the scorpions presence. But her reactions only told him to dig more. 

"When the Bayushi family adopted us Rokugo as their vassals, they let us inherit the Scorpion clan's many traditions. One of the more significant being the Mask we wear." 

As he spoke the large samurai stepped closer. Placing a hand under her hand that held the box with his mask. A gentle and subtle touch, yet his eyes were unwavering from her. 

"Upon our union of joining the clan, we were told of the great importance these Masks represented. They were our faces, identities, treasures... There was quite the long list but most importantly of all. Our lives." 

Lowering his hand slowly, no longer supporting hers. Yuto wanted to express the true weight that was within Mai's hand. It was more than a mere mask, and it meant more than one could ever know. Now it was hers. 

"Forgive me Moshi-sama, I've never been one to use implication, I'd rather speak plainly. Yet you've forced my hand, I've never been one to lack words, yet somehow in your presence they evade me." 

The Magistrate wanted the Ambassador to know exactly how he felt, it was hard for a soft spoken man such as himself to say such things. Yet somehow a wave of satisfaction washed over him, knowing he chose to speak his truths instead of bottling them in. 

||
Jeffery
Mai blushed. 

She really made it a point of order to tell herself that she was fine on her own as a widow, and that she'd done her part, had her children, and anything else was unnecessary and purely for kicks. Even so, she was a hopeless romantic, and to get a mask from someone in such a way... It _was_ a romantic effort, wasn't it? 

"You... Should really not waste such precious, beautiful gifts on an old widow like me." She was still blushing profusely, and she rubbed her neck, feeling horribly young and out of sorts. "Surely there's someone far more deserving than the woman that spat in your ambassador's face and kicked your Clan to the curb, so to speak..." Mai sighed, finally composing herself. "...But, I won't refuse it. It's a very compassionate gift, Bayushi no Rokugo-san." She smiled, rather timidly for the usually imposing woman. 

"But, you didn't come here solely to be sweet on me, I'm sure." She laughed, nervously -fortunes, was she still blushing? -and preoccupied herself with Muku-chan to keep foolish thoughts away. "So, business. If you're here, I take it it's on magistrate business?" Mai set the mask carefully back in its case, and got her own out to pull out the plump rat within. She tossed it into Muku's hunting ground, hoping the event would help relax her.

||
Karen
Now who was the one without confidence? He thought to himself, it seemed when flustered she questioned her own self worth. An odd thing for someone of high status, yet it made Moshi Mai all the more relatable and desirable. Having a slight frown when the Ambassador spoke of not wasting his gift, a smile and even a laugh came from the comment on spitting in his boss's face. 

"Oh Moshi-sama! You must remember I'm merely a Rokugo, such sophisticated reasons about deserving or spitting in my Ambassador's face are not factors. We're much simpler than that, you see our history is rather short. But it is one we love repeating. Would you like to know what that is?" 

Asking her, if she said yes he'd have stepped closer. Closer than he had before, his sway over to her was a smooth movement. Before she went and tended to her animal, he spoke gently yet with confidence. 

**"Seeing what we want, and taking it.."**

As he spoke, Yuto made sure to give his unwavering eye contact one more try, possessing a soft smile as he still had his face revealed. If he had been making an attempt to flirt this was certainly it. Though when she mentioned business, he purposely gestured a confused expression, until both eyes widened in realization. 

"Magistrate business? Oh yes! The pestering, I had surely forgotten. There is something I would like to discuss with you, I take it you've read my letter?"

||
Jeffery
_'Steady, Mai. Don't act foolishly again with these Scorpion.'_ 

Mai definitely felt special in the moment; when was the last time some man ever tried to woo her? And someone so young, too! It felt... Well, it had a lot of feelings with it. She wasn't going to be foolish, not this time around. And not when she was sure that the man needed something from her. 

So, even as she blushed and tucked some loose strands behind her ear, she tried to remember that she was the Ambassador of the Mantis Clan, who broke off their alliance with the clan of Yuto. 

"Yes, I've read your letter," She replied, casually. "I'm sure there's a lot going on with your Clan at the moment. I spoke to that Soshi Miyoko, I believe her name was. Part of the apology tour, no doubt."

||
Karen
It was a surprise to hear Soshi Miyoko had visited the embassy, on an apology tour? Would have been nice if a certain someone made him aware of such a thing transpiring, it might have given him more insight on conducting himself. Nevertheless, Yuto was plain and straightforward when it came to the business. 

"I wasn't made aware of an apology tour, I take it they apologized for the past wrongdoings against your clan no? I'd hope so." 

The Rokugo had made his own effort in apologizing to the Ambassador himself, while the encounter sparked a connection towards her, the mantis was still lost. Yuto couldn't tell where the good and bad were at on that scale, but one shook the thought away. 

"I've come to collect a statement from you about the allegations put on Bayushi Kaori. Do you mind if we sit down while I pester you for the details?" 

He said the last part sarcastically, hoping their banter could keep up the entertainment and not run the Ambassadors patience out. 

||
Jeffery
"A statement, hm?" 

Moshi Mai sighed, and rested her head in the palm of her hand, looking down at the soon-coming attack. "I could've sworn that I told Shosuro Junichi that I had no interest in pursuing anything further against Bayushi Kaori. No, I _did_ say that." She looked up with her eyes, and ushered for Yuto to watch. 

"I never had any intention to get the young woman in any trouble," She said. "I am _furious_ at how she interpreted my agreement to test my ronin, but I don't wish death on her. Maybe, a year ago I would've, but this damned city is making my soft- no, cancel that. More that it's made my edge a lot more fine and precise." 

Below, the rat squeaked and tried to scramble away, making it to one of the walls. Mai thumped it in the head with a flick of her finger, forcing it back down. "Bayushi Kaori broke into the embassy. I have a means to watch the embassy, thanks to the Kami, so I spotted her in my room, going through my things. I had tea with her, at which time she confronted me about what the Mantis intend to do for the Scorpion. Bayushi-san then spoke of a few things: One was me tracking down gaijin pepper for her, so she could plant evidence on the Unicorn whilst raiding that establishment. I agreed, but that was a lie. She also spoke of doing whatever it takes for her clan. I don't remember all the words verbatim, but seeing as how she was asking me procure forbidden goods and subterfuge against the Unicorn, who's to say what she was capable of? 

"I'm sure she's already spoken about the little nighttime romp we had." Mai shrugged her shoulders. "What can I say? I like bold men and women, and breaking into my home is very, _very_ bold. We did what adults do, and I'll tell you now, I did it with no shame; I am a widow, and I bore two heirs. I have nothing to be ashamed about. It was in the afterglow she asked about testing my ronin, Chiyoko-san. I agreed, and it is not wise of me to allow such a vague statement. I assumed my ronin's mettle would be test. Only after when my crying daughter is back home do I discover the truth of the matter. Kaori staged an attack against my daughter, to test my ronin. It's nice to know my ronin would give her life for my daughter..."

_'Hm. Chiyoko __did__ give her life for my daughter... Maybe I should...'_ 

"...But if not for the fact she carried no weapons, my ronin could have killed her there in the garden. Foolish, very foolish." 

Mai sighed, rubbing her head. "But, that's all there is to it, Bayushi no Rokugo-san. If you need more details, go right ahead and ask, but as I noted before, I don't care what's done with Bayushi Kaori. If I wanted retribution, I'd snap her little neck with my bare hands, or informed the Emerald Magistrate and make a whole scene out of it. I meant it when I told your ambassador that I was breaking the alliance and leaving with no ill intent. So, it _does_ confuse me why your Clan has such a clean, free break, and you're still putting on all this show. I haven't told a soul about the inner workings of our dealings, so... Why all this? Unless you're just trying to catch me in something you can blame on the Mantis, hm?" 

The shugenja smirked, crossing her arms. "Can't say I could blame you; The way you Scorpion have blundered almost every operation you've tackled in the city -except for the one _I_ ran, ironically enough- you could certainly use a win, hm!"

||
Karen
There was a lot to unpack, but his suspicions were proven true. The ambassador had no interest in pursuing charges with the Bayushi, which made sense seeing as the orders had come from Junichi. If all the charges were true then Kaori would have been long served justice, or dead, which Mai then confirmed as well. Should he do it? No, he came here to seek Justice, but at this point what path was justice on? There were two crossroads, going in completely different directions, could this have been it? A mix of feelings overcame the Magistrate, a visible blush coming over his face while the Mantis exploded about the story. It was a good thing he wore a lot of layers today... She was indeed an older woman but flustered the young man like no other. 

"Thank you Moshi-sama, you've brought some things to light I had suspicions of. I was going to ask why this case was coming from Soshi Junichi and not you, that man is..." 

He held his tongue. Yet the rest of the words almost slipped, having self control he would continue. Still stuck on what he should do. At that moment he decided. 

"It is not my wish to see the afflictions against you and your clan to be taken advantage of for someone else's Plot. Seems not one but two Scorpions in power have left you in the dark. Even me, I suppose he believes I'm a great fool thinking I would blindly exert his will..." 

There was another pause, Yuto now looking down with a face of disappointment and uncertainty. Before there was a mix of emotions, but now? Determination. His eyes rose once more to the Ambassador before him, regaining the confidence that momentarily left him. Stepping forward, he would speak once more. 

"If he were wise, he'd have collected his statement from you and proceeded with the trial. Instead here we are, pawning around in his game even though right now We have all the power in how things will proceed." 

He smiled towards her.

"You are right Moshi-sama. The scorpion have blundered every effort, our one win is in truth credited to you. So I ask, would you like to win again?" 

He had a small box with him, upon opening it there was parchment along with a pen and quill to write down the woman's statement. It was to have it on hand at the trial, and for documentation. This was a golden opportunity for them. 

"I wish not to see Bayushi Kaori punished if justice is not served by those she offended. From my understanding, neither do you. Seeing as your statement is critical for the progression of the trial, I doubt Soshi-sama would be able to do anything about what you have to say. I'll gladly write down what you wish to convey in your statement." 

He was implying a lot and doing so quite obviously. Hoping the mantis would agree and follow along in doing so, putting this case and trial behind them was best for everyone. 

"Forgive me if I am not **Bold** Enough.." 

He said in a sarcastic tone. 

||
Jeffery
"Ah, so _there's_ the actual favor, finally." Mai looked over at Yuto, looking rather smug as she took the paper. "You want to protect your dear Kaori-san. That's rather admirable, in a way. Going as far as to try and woo a woman for another woman is something right out of a pillow book, you know." The shugenja took up the parchment, and thought it over. "I hope you realize that I might put myself in some hot water over all of this, don't you? I hardly like the idea of tarnishing my own rep over someone else's blunder. While I can plead the case that I have done nothing dishonorable, my enemies will eat up at the thought of a woman my age fooling about with young maidens and such nonsense."

Mai started to write something, all the same. She hollered for her servants to fetch her chop as she worked, until she had the following: 

``` I, Moshi Mai of the Mantis Clan, Ambassador of the Mantis Embassy in Ryoko Owari Toshi, and High Daughter of Amaterasu, forgive and absolve Bayushi Kaori of the Scorpion Clan of any slight or wrongdoing compelled at myself and my Clan. I refuse to testify against her for these infractions, as Amaterasu and the Kami teach, Compassion is a tenet of Bushido. ``` 

"There. I won't be made a liar in whatever court she finds herself in, but seen as one that forgives others? That works for me. It also gives you the means to get your precious Ri-chan off the hook, as all of my complaints were slights against me, one way or another. Including that gaijin powder nonsense." 

She signed it with her chop, and went to hand it over, but pulled it away at the last second. 

"I do hope it goes without saying, but if the Scorpion Clan gets me involved in an such nonsense again, or if certain people try to sneak back into the Embassy again, I'll strike them down with the fury of Osano Wo and have them burnt alive in the cleansing light of Lady Sun... Right? As much as seeing your handsome face has been nice, I'm awfully tired of cleaning up Scorpion messes." 

||
Karen
Mais words only worsened the blow Yuto was already feeling, in a way he had sunk very low, even though his intentions were noble there was doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. A frown sat upon his lips, partially looking down. He succeeded in getting the ambassador to write the letter, but something felt wrong inside of him, Yuto confessed. 

"I shouldn't have asked you to do that. I'm in no position to request such a thing, and yet you did it anyway. The debt will be paid." 

Exhaling a breath, he'd have taken the note after her warning was issued, Mai was correct to do so. One couldn't blame her for ending things off with their clan, he'd have done the same. All one could wish for was they'd use his previously offered allegiance, wanting to provide service to their clan. While wooing the woman was for self indulgences, he truly meant what he said. 

"Despite my upbringing and installment into the clan, I held onto Truth and Honor. Others whispered and insulted me for being narrow minded and gullible because of it, yet I took no shame in my nature." 

He continued, still holding the letter in front of him. Yuto had much to say. 

"I know whether or not you see me as another filthy liar now or if you always did. To put it plain, I don't know what I'm becoming or if I've already become it. The values I pride myself in were used against me to serve a Plot rather than serving Justice, so I shed them. But know that Mask, the part of me I gave you, the real me..."

He paused once more, then continued. 

"Belongs only to you now. My advances weren't for another woman's sake, I only have one heart after all." 

||
Jeffery
This Yuto... He was something else. She couldn't trust him, not entirely, but she could say he was at least _trying_ to be pure of heart. It was hard to say if it was genuine or not; on one hand, things were heartfelt and romantic, and on the other, it felt like another ploy, another political step. 

"You owe me nothing, Bayushi no Rokugo-san." Mai spoke flatly, but she had a small smile, all the same. "Just like with Bayushi Kaori, I'm not holding any grudges. Just do one thing for me, Yuto-san." She moved in closer to him, so she could whisper in his ear. 

"Never come back here for such a thing again. You've tried my affections to the limit. Test me further, and I will _break_ you." Mai gave the samurai a small kiss on the cheek before pulling away. "The next time you show your face, there'd better not be a single mention of this nonsense again. Understood?" 

It was as Mai said. The _next_ time. There could be one. 

"I'm not playing around, either. I'll toss out that lovely mask if you do."

||
Karen
Yuto wasn't the most intelligent nor did he pretend to be. What came from Mai was a rather mixed signal in his eyes, though his face continued to be stoic. She relieved him of the burdens of debt, making the mantis that much more admirable, yet the threat was something else. Before he could respond with some stupid quip she kissed the scorpion on the cheek, bringing a blush to the Junshins face. A surprise but not an unwelcome one, the Samurai wasn't expecting to get that far. As a matter of fact death was more expected than a kiss! 

"You've become that much more admirable Moshi-sama. Even without such debts my services are still offered to you, with everything I've needed to give you and get I'll be on my way." 

The man bowed, a smile never leaving his lips. Turning away he would have looked back before officially taking his leave, sliding his full mask back over himself as he spoke. 

"Do what you will with the Mask. It's yours now. Though if I were to make a recommendation. **Wear it**, you'll be shocked by how much stronger you'll feel.." 

|| Unless you want to keep going, that's Scene! Tysm I enjoyed it and look forward to our next one!