Sarah
The Karo's presence around the embassy was a bit hard to predict. With as much as he presided over, it wasn't uncommon to only see him at distance or in passing as he flitted from one task to the next.

For that reason, it was likely rather concerning when Sanumo passed Setsuka in the halls early one morning and stopped only long enough to pass her a small slip of grey paper. Upon opening it, the only text said, "Please find time to visit my office this afternoon."

He hadn't stopped to discuss it at all, departing once the missive, if it could even be called that, had switched hands.

Regardless of what she took away from that brief encounter at the time, the Karo had painstakingly cleared part of his schedule to leave an appropriate window for her arrival - and he would be waiting.

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Bernice
Although surprised and full of questions after the Karo left Setsuka with the mysterious slip of grey paper, she simply bowed her head in thanks when her surperior had passed, trusting that there was a good reason for whatever was going on.

However, Setsuka did have a bit of a hard time focusing on her tasks at the shrines, as she wondered what use the Karo had for her. 

As afternoon approached, Setsuka hastened to the embassy, determined not to be late or to waste the Karo's time. Before she approached the office, she calmed her breath, discreetly smoothed her red hakama - and knocked on the Karo's door.
"My lord? Kaito Setsuka, at your service," She announced her presence.

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Sarah
A muffled "Come in" Was promptly heard through the door. As she entered, the interior of the Karo's office was on full display. The dark wooden interior consisted of half-filled bookshelves to either side, a locked cabinet at the bottom of each. The back wall had a window sufficient to read by.

The only other furniture consisted of stiff, functional chairs, a vase of yellow carnations and lobelia on his desk and, of course, the desk itself. Its wood matched the paneling of the shelves and walls, but featured three mons branded into the front (that of the Phoenix, Asako, and Asako Loremasters, in descending order). The surface of the desk was tidy, with papers carefully stacked and little indentations in which writing instruments fit perfectly.

The Karo himself appeared to be in his typical attire; a basic, earth-toned kimono and a length of cord wrapped around his forehead to keep his hair out of his eyes.

"Please sit, Kaito-san. I appreciate you making the time. I'm sure you have many questions, but first, have you spoken of this meeting to anyone else?"

It was certainly a peculiar note for him to start things off on.

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Bernice
Setsuka bowed and took the offered seat, taking in the minimalistic yet extremely stylish furnishing of the Karo's office.

"No, my lord, I have not spoken to anyone of this," She shook her head. For the Karo to request her attendance with a note - instead of doing so face-to-face - told Setsuka there was secrecy or things of great importance in question.

While the Phoenix were not as secretive as the Scorpions, as the de-facto guardians of the shugenja arts, the Clan knew when things were best kept secret; a skill most members of the Clad adopted, consciously or not.

"How may I be of assistance?"

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Sarah
*Excellent. She took the cue just as planned.*

"Well, since you've asked so pointedly, I've arranged an important task for you to perform. Surely you know of the bazaar at the outer edge of the city? The Phoenix made arrangements to manage its spiritual security, but our samurai tasked with doing so was... Well, it was the same shugenja that ruined our relations with the Unicorn." His brow knit together at the discomfort of the memory.

"I recently finished discussions with the Unicorn to see if they would still allow us this responsibility. They are no longer willing to entrust the task to us alone, instead requesting that we send a representative to work in tandem, as equals, with one of their own shugenja who has taken up the slack in the meantime. **You** Are the representative we agreed upon."

There were quite a few more details to cover, but he paused at this juncture to gauge her reaction and what it exposed of her character.

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Bernice
"M-me? I mean, of course my lord, it would be a great honor to undertake such a task," Setsuka stammered, before catching herself; bowing her head and folding her hands in her lap. She blinked a few times, gathering her thoughts and getting over her surprise.

"Spiritual security *Is* An area of expertise I have training and experience with," She affirmed - both to Sanumo and to herself. "And I have no issues with working with another Clan's shugenja," Setsuka added. *Assuming our mutual goal remains the same,* She thought to herself but didn't want to start jinxing anything by saying such ideas out loud.

"If I may ask, lord Asako, what exactly did this Phoenix shugenja do to sour our relationships with the Unicorn?" Setsuka asked tentatively. "I have still much to catch up to with past events within this city - and I hope that I can avoid making the same mistakes as this samurai made, or at the very least, be aware of the causes for the Unicorns' distrust."

Many more questions bubbled in the young shrine maiden's mind but she kept them in, lest she start sounding like a young student at a dojo on their first day. However, despite the surprise of being offered - or assigned - such a responsibility, Setsuka did feel confident enough in herself and in her skills that she did not feel excessively anxious. A little nervous, perhaps, but not enough to show it - or so she hoped.

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Sarah
*Lord Asako, hm? I like the sound of that.*

Sanumo had done his best to keep a lid on this so far and so it made sense to him that the shrine maiden showed genuine surprise at this news ||even if not for the reason he thinks||. 

The fact that she echoed his confidence in her abilities and inquired about the failures of her predecessor helped keep his nerves from creeping in - and spoke to her priorities besides. "He called Osano-Wo's wrath down on a young girl, a child who had stolen something and was trying to flee. Utaku Masanori, a prominent Unicorn, had nearly apprehended them and was blown clean through a wall for his trouble." 

There was no point in talking circles around the issue, especially with what was at stake. "We are fortunate that he survived and appears to have no long-term injuries, but you can see why this destroyed our reputation - both with the Unicorn and, to varying extents, the rest of the city."

"And why it is of the utmost importance that you reflect well upon us." This could not be overstated.

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Bernice
Upon hearing the actions of her predecessor, Setsuka had a hard time keeping her face neutral and hide her flabbergasted expression. She was not sure what she had expected to hear, maybe some evidence of bribery, or getting into a drunken fistfight - *Not* That this shugenja had managed to blast an important figure through a wall by the aid of a kami's power.

"That, um, is indeed a severe incident," Setsuka managed to say before pressing her palms briefly together in a quick, but earnest, prayer. "I thank the Fortunes that Utaku-sama was not harmed permanently."

As Sanumo emphasized the importance of her assignment, Setsuka's face was serious, but determined. Of course, she was a little worried whether or not she could fix the damage done to the Phoenix' reputation, but she was determined to give it her all. She nodded solemnly.

"I understand, my lord," Setsuka said, bowing her head. "I acknowledge the severity of the situation and my role in it."

"If I may, what practical tasks am I expected to take on, aside from general spiritual tending of the location?" She continued. 

Perhaps a quirk of the Kaito - and other Families who lived in rural and rough areas - she was quick to start think on the immediate actions and their execution; rather than wondering and debating about when, what, how and why to do something. The latter case being a habit some nobler, urban Families might partake in; and with good reason, no doubt, but to the rural Families it seemed unnecessary, and a waste of time: one could already be out in the fields helping the farmers salvage their crops, or clear out a landslide, or other such manner of events, instead of arguing around shiny tables.

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Sarah
"Agreed." He nodded firmly. "The ronin known as Taisei did not become so by erring mildly."

He was **Still** Dealing with the aftermath of that and probably would be for some time yet. It was good that she so readily grasped the weight of his actions, such that she wouldn't knowingly follow in his footsteps.

And if she did, Sanumo would see to it that there would **Not** Be a second Phoenix ronin wandering about.

"Many of the specificities of your position are beyond me. But broadly speaking? Based on the negotiations, it sounds like you should expect to screen incoming goods for spiritual hazards, work to identify, appease, and protect the local spirits, and tasks of a similar nature. Anything you surmise would make these goals more efficient should be given due consideration. In pursuit of this, I will make the embassy's resources available to you within reason and upon request."

"In fact," He perked up, "-the Unicorn agreed to loan us a copy of The Golden Histories for you to learn from, such that more exotic or far-flung threats and solutions to them may be known to you. It should arrive in the coming days." He seemed especially upbeat about that bit; an unexpected windfall to top an otherwise dodgy meeting.

"However you approach this posting, make sure that you and Utaku Takeda-san act with cohesion. You are to serve as equals and I will not suffer overreach or belittlement from either of you - not that I have reason to expect it."

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Bernice
Setsuka nodded as Sanumo listed out her responsibilities, and sighed with relief inwards. The tasks didn't seem too difficult nor complicated, and she had already conducted similar missions before. Having another shugenja to help with the tasks would make it even easier - especially when dealing with surprises. Upon hearing that she will have the chance to study The Golden Histories, Setsuka's face visibly lit up and she sympathized with Sanumo's excitement. 

"That is unexpectedly blessed news!" Setsuka couldn't help but smile. "I am honored that I may study and expand my knowledge." She could barely stop herself from starting to daydream of the new information she could gain. It was not very common for Clans to share such knowledge, but the situation called for it.

Upon hearing the name of her colleague-to-be, Setsuka made sure to memorize it. No greater shame than having to ask your future coworker's name, as if she hadn't cared enough to find out.
"Yes, my lord, I shall treat Utaku-sama with the respect they deserve," Setsuka nodded. *Especially if they are my senior.* She knew the limits of her current skills and knowledge and had no issues letting the experienced take the lead - although she hoped to one day (and sooner than later) be the one leading and teaching. 

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Sarah
"Wonderful." He clasped his hands together in front of him. "In that case, I only have two more points to cover before you may resume your duties."

"Firstly, I would like to act as your handler insofar as it relates to your dealings with the bazaar." He lifted his chin slightly, as though half-expecting her to debate the point. "Part of being Karo is ensuring that the Ambassador is not overworked or handling matters that could reasonably be delegated. If he ever *Does* Inquire with you about your new posting, I urge you to send him my way."

It was a delicate thing he was doing by hiding just under Iemon's nose. The fewer reasons he would have to snoop into this arrangement, the more likely that it would survive scrutiny and spare the both of them an awkward discussion.

"And secondly, Utaku Takeda-san requested that you and he meet as soon as you are available, so as to become more familiar with one another before working in the field. While you're at it, make sure you discuss Atsuko-san, head of law enforcement for the bazaar, and how you will be expected to interface with them throughout your duties."

In the wake of his words, he paused and rotated the vase of flowers on his desk, seemingly pleased with the view from a different angle. "Is there anything else you feel you need from this meeting, Kaito-san?"

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Bernice
Setsuka nodded diligently and brushed a stray strand of hair back in place.

"Yes sir, I shall report to you directly," She replied, thinking how it certainly did make sense that such relatively mundane tasks would be delegated to the Karo, instead of the Ambassador having to be roped into every little task and assignment. 

Delighted to hear that she would be meeting her coworker soon, Setsuka sighed inwardly with relief - otherwise she might've spent the next days and nights filled with anxiety. Not that she had any doubts of her coworker or her own skills, but a new job is a new job, and meeting new people is a stressor even if one is quite extroverted.

"Thank you, sir. Everything is clear," She bowed her head, before continuing. 
"I only wish to inquire whether Utaku-sama has suggested a meeting time, or should I go seek them from the bazaar?" Setsuka asked, also resting her gaze on the vase of flowers, and admired the skillful arrangement. She had personally never had the chance to practice the art of arranging flowers, but Setsuka did nevertheless recognize the artistic skill.

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Sarah
He shook his head, "He did not. I would recommend sending a letter about it, rather than attempting to catch him in the midst of his duties - though the decision is ultimately yours."

Rising from his seat, the Karo bowed (something he had failed to do when Setsuka first arrived) - and a touch lower than custom necessitated. When he rose, it was with a slight softness to his gaze.

"May the Fortunes line your path with blessings, Kaito-san. You have given me some hope for the future and I will be watching your efforts with great interest."

Sanumo knew that remark likely placed additional pressure upon her, but that seemed only fitting given the circumstances. Perhaps it was a bit much, but he would rather be over-cautious than under. He stayed standing, the unspoken dismissal cloying the air.

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