Oscar
It was a day with a milder sun when Khulan arrived at the Phoenix Embassy.

Time had passed since she arrived in the City of Lies. She had spent her time getting to know other samurai, familiarising herself with a new routine. But now it was time for her duty, following the directions of her superiors Utaku Kazuko and Iuchi Makoto.

And, of course, she had been briefed on the state of their relations with the Phoenix. 

*All that was built, shattered by a boy's foolishness. And further cracked by the demands of Honour. I must be aware of this weight.*

The Clan came first, of course. She was doing her part to strengthen their position. She had studied to find the common ground between *Meishodo* And the kami.

But the Ide within her did hold hope: This was also an act of goodwill. Cooperation.

Clad in her most conventional kimono of light purple, her talismans mostly covered and her hair tied more conventionally, she saw the entrance of the Phoenix Embassy grow in her vision, and the guards outside of it. Once she neared them, she bowed respectfully in greeting.

"Greetings, noble Phoenix. I am Ide Khulan, shugenja and spiritual consultant of the Unicorn Clan, here on Ambassador Utaku Kazuko-sama's command to meet with your esteemed Ambassador. May I enter?"

She would have been let in given the arrangements, and she had made sure to have proof of her purpose and an appropriate gift commissioned, but there was always time for politeness.

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Lillie
"Please hold, Samurai-sama. We've been given instructions to follow upon your arrival. The Karo would like to welcome you himself."

One of the ashigaru briskly left the vicinity and, not long after, returned with said Karo. Asako Sanumo had elected to wear a simple, dark-orange kimono with only the mon of the Loremasters present. His hair was left free, save for a length of cord worn around his head.

Bowing deeply, he greeted the visitor. "Ide Khulan-sama. I am Asako Sanumo, Karo to Shiba Iemon. Please, be welcome and follow me." He gestured her beyond the threshold and began guiding her towards a pre-prepared room.

"We will join Isawa Noboru-san soon. I am here today primarily as a witness to the start of this endeavor and to be present should any resources be required in its pursuit. Similarly, as a Loremaster, I take pride in being able to personally attend to this so as to properly record whatever may transpire for future generations. If you have need of me for anything, you need only ask."

Having entered the main building and arrived at the room, he paused briefly at the door to hear any immediate responses or questions and then allowed them both to enter. If the servants had done their job, Noboru would already be within.

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Charles
Noboru had entered the room as quickly as possible, the room having been prepared to his specifications to set the tone for this meeting. He had specified an eastern room overlooking the interior pond, and firmly away from any non-essential hustle and bustle of the normal embassy day-to-day. A few sticks of incense were lit, a small offering both to the kami that he presumed the Unicorn representative would be as sensitive to as he was, as well as an external reminder of the spiritual nature of their business. *It wouldn't make much sense to send a non-practitioner to discuss such things, I would prefer to give the benefit of the doubt to the Unicorn in that regard at least.*

Though his first impression of the local clan had been less than favorable, he labored to keep his face neutral as the Karo and the Unicorn entered. He was seated at a low table, and stood as they entered to greet with a suitable bow, his orange prayer beads rustling slightly with the motion, the sound evocative of the ocean tide on the shoreline. His kimono was bright orange, the mon of the Isawa proudly emblazoned on his chest, with the faintest of blue thread highlighting the Water symbol on it, a minor personal affectation that he had been granted as the apprentice of the Elemental Master.

"Greetings, Unicorn-sama. I am Isawa Noboru, and I hope that you are well on this fine day. Has our esteemed Karo offered you any refreshments while we meet?" His eyes briefly glanced at Sanumo, neutral in his gaze. The younger man had been professional in their meeting, of course, but... There was more than a suspicion that Sanumo did not hold Noboru, or indeed most Isawa, in much regard.

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Oscar
*Hmm. Jin-kun mentioned he met a Phoenix for dinner. Is it him?*

"An honour to meet you, Asako-sama."

As the Ide listened, he gave the impression of a diligent and dutiful courtier. 

"The wisdom of the Loremasters is well known; your presence will be most reassuring," She commented kindly. With a smile, she added "This may be a first meeting, but I would not mind having some tea to go with it."

By her tone, it was clear that she was gratefully taking him up on his offer, but also saw her request as a minor one that he needn't prioritise.
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Eventually, they made it to the meeting room. Its priestly aromas filled the air, and she nodded in approval.

She could expect such attention to detail from the Phoenix in spiritual matters, but the piety was still welcome. Though this was no shrine, it still paid homage to the kami, and this was a meeting of peace and spiritual harmony, so she clapped her hands lightly once and said a quick prayer of harmony. When her eyes opened, she formed her first proper impressions.

*Trained in the element of Water. He is neutral, but not cold... Though there seems to be control behind him.*

With a respectful bow, Khulan returned her own greeting.

"Greetings, Isawa-sama. I am Ide Khulan, shugenja, scholar and spiritual consultant of my Clan. It is an honour to make your acquaintance. I am well indeed; my morning prayers felt most fruitful, and I hope the same holds true for you."

It was polite to engage small talk, and she was able to do so with the right amount of attention.


"Asako-sama has been most attentive. A true credit and asset to your Clan."

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Lillie
As they had been in transit, he glanced over his shoulder as Khulan mentioned refreshments. "The Ambassador has drilled a habit into us of having tea present at all of our meetings. If the staff have not erred, and they better not have, it should arrive shortly."

True to his word, Sanumo entered quietly, bowed in acknowledgement to Noboru, and assumed a place at the table between the two parties. He was content to leave the small talk to the two of them, save for when he was specifically addressed.

*Ideally this will give them some time to scope one another out.*

Aside from a rare discussion with Noboru in the leadup to the Unicorn's visit, they had mostly stayed out of one another's hair. So it was that he took in the conditions around him as the two basically-strangers awaited the tea so that meaningful topics could begin in earnest.

The staff did not disappoint him today.

As the tea arrived, Sanumo made a point to pour the tea for his guest; Noboru as a visiting agent of the Elemental Council and Khulan in her capacity as a Meishodo practitioner.

Perhaps surprising to both of them, he poured Khulan's cup before Noboru's. It was intended as a minor infuriation to the Isawa, but could very well be written off as "Not being absolutely certain of Ide-sama's status" Or "Being especially courteous to our guest after recent events."

*There are much more pressing matters for Noboru to address and he'll seem especially petty if he breaks the flow of proceedings over such a perceived infraction.*

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Charles
Noboru noted the choice to pour tea for their guest with the faintest glance at the Karo, then looked to his own cup before replying to Khulan. "Indeed, Karo Asako-sama is not one to overlook even the slightest detail." Noboru had little doubt that the Asako had intended to give him a slight social snub, but it was hidden behind the propriety of honoring the guest. *Which would have been easier to mollify if I had been the one to pour, but...* Noboru squashed the thought by sipping at his tea once it had been poured. *Vexing, but nothing that needs to be dealt with presently.*

"My morning prayers were most satisfactory, thank you for inquiring. Perhaps once we are finished with our meeting we may jointly offer midday rites at our embassy shrine?" A mark of respect to offer such an action, in his mind, especially since the question at hand was one of praxis, this would also offer him an opportunity to observe if there was much deviation between his own rites and the Unicorn's spiritual practices on even the more standard forms of spiritual appeasement. 

He waited patiently for the Unicorn's reaction, sipping again at his tea, and thankful for the practice being so well ingrained at the embassy to have refreshments present for any matters of import.

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Oscar
The possible meanings of Sanumo serving her first did not escape her, but this was still a first meeting. Still too early to tell what it meant to them.

She sampled the tea, long accustomed to the ways of enjoying the traditional drink. It was a small sip, to not divert from their meeting. But even so, she did enjoy the particular flavours and fragrances mingling in the cup.

Nodding to the Isawa, Khulan kept her posture and expression proper: only the smallest of smiles for approval, not expression.

"That would be most agreeable, Isawa-sama. I thank you for the invitation."

The Ide set her cup down after their brief prelude. With the small talk done as per protocol, they could ease into business.

"My sincerest thanks for the warm welcome, Isawa-sama."

Addressing only him was deliberate; until she had a better read on these Phoenixes, she would defer to rank. Noboru was the one to meet, and so she would treat with and acknowledge him mainly rather than splitting any authority or courtesy between the two of them. He may have been sent by the Elemental Council, but she wasn't sure how his experiences shaped his character, only that he was bound to be skilled and knowledgeable.

"While I certainly enjoy sitting down to tea," She began, "I am prepared to discuss the matters our Clans have written of. Do I have your leave to begin?"

She might have had reason to come on strong given the mishap which led to this concession. But she felt that a hand of peace would better serve than a clenched fist; it would help demonstrate that the Unicorn could be Courteous and Compassionate, and was in tune with their intended purpose.

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Charles
Noboru nodded, putting the matter of tea behind him as he refocused on their guest. "I believe that would be most welcome, yes. The discussion of meishodo is one that has been ongoing since the honored Children of Shinjo returned to the Empire. I am quite interested in gaining direct knowledge of the practice, to better advise the Elemental Council." The topic of whether it should be heresy or if it was a valid extension of spiritual practices had been a volatile one, to say the least, and he was sincere in wishing to learn more. However, his words were careful to communicate his necessary neutrality and to not promise some great change in policy, and likely more blunt than others may have been in order to get that message across. 

He glanced at the Asako, having avoided bringing any writing materials of his own and choosing to rely on the Loremaster's notes as well as his own memory to preserve the contents of this first foray.

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Oscar
Khulan nodded in acknowledgement as she sipped at her tea. An apt summary, and neutrally given. The historical baggage of it was well-known to both sides.

And thankfully, as an Ide, Khulan wasn't offended by his relatively blunt directness. Her family may have mastered the art of diplomacy, but as Unicorns they also valued forthrightness and pragmatism.

"Of course, Isawa-sama. And I look forward to studying this together, and sharing what I can about our mystical traditions."

Setting the cup down, she folded her hands together, keeping her brown-eyed gaze level.

"This is a first step, but I hope it will lead to greater understanding between our Clans and schools. In the meantime, my fellow shugenja and I have an idea to put before you. A way to begin our collaboration, and perhaps begin to learn about meishodo."

She spoke with polite but controlled interest. First the courtesies, then her purpose, and her hopes for it.

"Would the Phoenix be willing to build a shrine to Kisshoten in the Temple District together with us?"

*And now comes the beginning of our journey. I must take care to find the path to harmony.*

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Lillie
True to his word to the Ide, Sanumo quietly produced materials with which to jot down the various goings-on once tea was poured. Pausing to sip at his tea only as much as decorum required, he penned out the meeting as it unfolded around him.

When Khulan proposed her joint effort between the two clans, he took a few seconds to document such and then glanced up, noticing that Noboru was looking at him for input or approval for such a venture. Once Sanumo became aware, his answer flowed instantly.

"I am confident this is within our means, especially with any support Utaku-sama would arrange, and that Shiba-sama would approve. We will, of course, need to petition the appropriate authorities for the rights to erect such an installation, but I have no reason to expect they will offer resistance."

*Though the Imperials are always full of surprises, if the stories are true.*

He cleared his throat, "Please, continue."

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Charles
Noboru nodded his thanks to Sanumo before turning back to their guest. *It only was proper to allow for the material confirmation to be approved before I stepped out too far in that regard. Better to show a united front despite our... Friction.* He thought mildly to himself.

"A shrine to Kisshōten is a project I would most happily lend assistance to. The records of her as a Fortune have been most carefully preserved by the Isawa family for generations, though there is opposition to her gaining widespread acceptance across the Empire." He pondered that last point briefly. "Certainly, the Scorpion were one of the more vocal opponents to her being acknowledged as a Great Fortune. Building a temple to her here, then, could be considered a grander victory for the cause of her elevation across the Empire."

Though this was a welcome gesture of corroboration, the choice of the project was one that, if he were more politically-minded, would give him pause. But Noboru's focus since leaving his military career behind him had turned more than once to the Fortune of Happiness, Fertility, and Beauty, and how those concepts, if better extolled through the Empire, could better foster a more peaceful existence.

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Oscar
The Asako voiced confidence. The Isawa voiced support. And thanks to her studies, she was aware that Kisshoten was favoured by the Phoenix, but not the Scorpion, which Noboru corroborated.


*That he is aware of this yet speaks in favour is good. It shows a true desire to serve the city's spiritual needs. But I must not misuse this or take it for granted; that would dishonour this endeavour, and the Fortune we seek to honour.*

"I am most pleased to hear that, Isawa-sama. Asako-sama. The Unicorn will be glad to discuss how to share in this endeavour to better spread the blessings of Kisshoten." Khulan said with cultivated composure, taking a moment to enjoy another sip of tea. "And besides the shrine's construction, I believe we can also help to bless it."

Her serenity swirled for a moment in her demeanour. And the peacefulness in her gaze and tone seemed to grow with a scholar's understated interest.

"As you might know, Kisshoten actually has a small shrine dedicated to her in the Small Holies. Once the new shrine is ready, I can help to transport the kami of the old shrine there through meishodo."

The word hung in the air for half a moment. Even as it was agreed earlier it would be explored, she understood the concerns surrounding her Clan's mystical traditions. So Khulan took the initiative to pre-emptively address them.

"It is a safe and simple method," She elaborated swiftly. "I ask the kami if they would inhabit my talisman temporarily, and house them there until they can be properly invested into their new home."

There were many ways the act of housing the kami could develop. But for this first step, she went with the simplest, which rang most true to traditional magic: the kami were beseeched, and ultimately left free.

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Lillie
It was becoming more and more apparent that the Unicorn had chosen their representative with the utmost care. She conducted herself with candor and grace, expertly navigating the conversation - even having gone so far as to push a potentially controversial Fortune as the focus for their shrine.

It was a shame that she was a practitioner of Meishodo; her talents could have gone to such use elsewhere. Not that Sanumo had personal grievances with the practice (mostly from lack of knowledge regarding it), but the Elemental Council was often a slow and intractable force. He very much doubted that they would change their mind even if overwhelming evidence was put before them.

And if they didn't, that left the Phoenix in exactly the same mire as before - albeit with a little more knowledge on one of a myriad of heresies.

Regardless, those opinions had no place being voiced at this table and so he continued to observe and record for the sake of those who would come well after him.

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Charles
Noboru nods, his attention rapt on the description given. His knowledge of meishodo was limited to the barebones that was connected to the Elemental Council's decree regarding the practice. *If it is truly an entreaty of the kami, then perhaps the differences are merely cosmetic?* He strokes his close-cropped beard lightly. *The question of how they are able to gain more consistent results is the primary point that made its practice a concern for the Elemental Council.* Seeing it in action would be an opportunity that could not be passed up, if he were to do his duty in investigating it.

"It will be an excellent opportunity, and will naturally give me the ability to ask pointed questions in the preparation as well as the execution of this method of conveying the kami. I presume it is not an overly technical ritual, which may help me in establishing some basic understanding of meishodo?"

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Oscar
The responses were most promising indeed. Still, she took care to curb her enthusiasm.

"For the task which I have proposed? No. It asks something uncommon of the kami, but the fundamentals remain the same: We pray to the kami, and discern the best and most respectful way to persuade them."


Nodding to the Isawa, Khulan took another sip of tea and faced the Phoenixes. Her eyes were alight with eager anticipation, kept controlled by her mannerisms.

"I believe Utaku-sama wrote to you on the matter of reports as well. No changes will be demanded; we only request to also receive them and all updates in this endeavour."

She set the cup down, using a cloth to wipe her lips clean. Her expression was a mix of both a teacher and a student, eager to both learn and teach.

"But thank you, Isawa-sama, for considering this suggestion," She said sincerely. Her sleeves sweeping down, she bowed respectfully, saying "I look forward to what we shall achieve and learn together."

She held for a moment then rose again, striving to balance courteous regard with the dignity of an equal. For as much as she believed humility and openness were great boons in diplomacy and exchanges, she also knew that as the Unicorn's representative for meishodo, she would also have to stand proud for her teachings.

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Lillie
Sanumo appeared largely impassive during these proceedings, the weight of the task ultimately a burden that the other two shared and that he merely facilitated.

Without looking up from his ongoing penmanship, he answered smoothly. "You are correct, Ide-sama. Whensoever I finalize a given report, I will make sure it finds its way to her hands. Our burdens are many and varied these days, but I assure you that it will be done in as timely a fashion as possible."

Noting her rise in preparation for departure, he spoke sidelong to Noboru. "Isawa-san. If you both are finished for now, would you please show her the way? I would do so myself, but the ink is still freshly applied and it would be in poor form for me to leave these unattended."

Not to mention that it would likely look symbolic to the Unicorn if the Phoenix simply abandoned them the moment it was time for her departure. There was no sense in risking the flames of the incensed - not when it could be helped.

Besides, he had planning to do. This shrine wasn't going to approve itself, after all.

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Charles
Noboru rose as well. "Yes, Asako-sama, we will adjourn to our shrine on the embassy grounds here for our midday rites, and then we may part ways." He offered a bow to the younger man, keeping the majority of his attention on their Unicorn guest. 

Thankfully midday rites were relatively straightforward, and their talks had been peaceful enough that remaining in the proper state of mind would be easy to maintain. 

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Oscar
"I would be glad to join you in your rites with your blessing, Isawa-sama. Asako-sama."

She rose with them, bowing respectfully between the two.

"And I thank you both for both your hospitality and your cooperation. "

Sure enough, the rites were a simple matter, and both shugenja were in the right frame of mind for it. That was good; as much as some kami, especially those of fire, responded to strong emotions, harmony was always important in ensuring a shugenja's voice was heard.

The rites would be performed, and Khulan would respectfully part ways to return with a report. 

However, it would not have escaped the Isawa's notice that while she had clearly foreign influences about her, this Ide who trained under the Iuchi was able to follow and perform the rites with practiced familiarity and due reverence.

She had studied the traditions of the Empire well enough. One of the reasons she was chosen for this. She only hoped that it would help to lay the foundations for the future.

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`End Scene`