Kenneth
Ryoko Owari did not strike Shion as a welcoming city. Its walls felt tall and imposing, like a tidal wave that wanted to swallow you whole and leave you buried under the weight of its magnificence. The samurai lifted her scarf over her mouth, as if to safeguard what words might escape from her lips.

The Phoenix Embassy offered little comfort in this unfamiliar place. The three storied building seemed to loom over her in judgment. A far more immaculate display. It felt alien compared to the haphazard cobbles and halls of Shiro Shiba. That castle cast its shadow to her back, while the embassy burned like a star, forcing her to bring the brim of her hat down in shame.

Shion first paid her due respects to the Fortunes enshrined in the nearby temple. She prayed to Fukurokujin, for the wisdom to reveal her path. Then Bishamon, for the strength to see her task done. Then she approached the embassy proper, where an ashigaru awaited her with a narrowed brow.

"My name is Shiba Shion." Her voice spills out like a trickle under her ensemble. Too long on the road without a word. "I have come from Nejiro Province, and seek to present myself to this embassy's Ambassador."

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Wilma
The ashigaru's expression softened in recognition of the name, a bow following thereafter. "Greetings, Shiba-sama. The Karo notified us to expect your arrival. Please follow me to a meeting room and we will have someone join you as soon as possible."

A short walk later, Shion was admitted to a quaint room adorned with paintings of various nature scenes. Tea was brought in short order and, not long afterwards, the Karo himself arrived.

Sanumo was an average man in many regards, but there were a few aspects that would jump out to an observer; his relative youth for one of his station, the simple cut and fabric of his earth-colored kimono, and the sharpness with which his gaze pierced the room upon entry.

Bowing, he introduced himself. "It is nice to meet you, Shiba Shion-san. I am Asako Sanumo, Karo to the Ambassador. I have confirmed that he will join us momentarily." As he spoke, he wandered to a seated position and took up the teapot. "In the meantime, allow me to pour you some tea. You must be parched after such a journey."

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Margarita
Iemon had quickly set aside one of the secondary reports he had been going over as one of the servants brought word of their guest, and that Sanumo was already receiving her in one of the embassy's meeting rooms. The missive that had alerted the staff of the impending arrival of this particular Shiba had spelled out a little of her reasons for coming to Ryoko Owari Toshi, but a modicum of trepidation at the thought of a fellow Shiba having to seek their charge after failing to keep by their side? It brought to his mind his own most recent failures, dampening his mood as he reflected on those events once again as he made his way to the room.

He entered with the slightest of knocks, a waiting servant outside opening and closing the door for him, allowing him to focus his attention in entering and assessing their guest. He stood slightly taller than average, a fact that would have made him more imperious were it not for his face being almost kind when at rest. Slightly more careworn and creased with lines of worry since he had taken the role of ambassador, to be sure, but his open approach to others had served him well thus far.

"Greetings, Shiba-san, Asako-san, I hope I have not kept you both waiting overly long." He offered a slight bow to both, standing on protocol for the time being as they assessed Shion. His orange kimono displayed the Clan's Mon proudly, with the Shiba Mon settled prominently, but much smaller on the fabric. "Would something more than tea be to your liking, Shiba-san? You have but to ask."

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Kenneth
In the interim, Shion would find her seat and set her hat off to the side. It would reveal the tangle of flowing brown underneath and listless eyes. Next came her scarf, unfurled from around her neck and folded neatly into her lap. Her expression remained neutral, unmoving like stone against the tide.

When her hosts made their prompt arrival, Shion would bow her head and silently wait for them to exchange the standard pleasantries. If there was any relief to be received with such grace, she kept it behind her mask. The solemnity of her task required no less.

"My gratitude for your time and hospitality, Shiba-sama, Asako-sama. Tea will suffice." She lifted her head and looked about the room with its many adornments, the depictions of nature reminding her of the gardens she left behind in Shiro Shiba.

"I understand that my lord sent a missive ahead of my arrival." She did not wish to trouble them overlong, and so invited them to discuss the business that brought them here first if they so desired.

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Wilma
Taking Iemon's momentary silence as a cue to interject, Sanumo piped up. "You need not thank us for merely doing our duty." He produced the letter that Shion's lord had sent ahead and placed it in front of the Ambassador in case he wished to review it as the conversation wore on.

"If you would, please tell us about the situation in your own words. One often finds new details in different retellings. We will want as much information as we can in order to navigate this situation well."

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Kenneth
There is a pang of anxiety when the question passes Asako's lips. For the longest time Shion has been trying to piece together the situation herself. Putting together fragments of heresay and hazy memories as if trying to remember a dream after waking. She pinches the edge of her scarf between her thumb and her finger, the only indication of her discomfort.

"I was charged with the protection of a Shugenja of the Isawa family. My lady was an exceptional elementalist, beyond reproach among her peers." This, she was told to her by the account of her charges fellow pupils and teachers. The trepidation on their faces as Shion asked them questions they thought she already knew still haunted her. "She would often push beyond her limits in the field, a habit which I was assigned to help curve in my duties.

Shion tries to think on the day that they went missing, but the closer her memories tread to the fateful moment, the more they seemed to be swallowed up by darkness as thick as ink. "Based on reports, my lady was attempting an unknown ritual in private, without the supervision of myself or others. I had attempted to find her, and believe that I did. But something had occurred which rendered me unconscious and my recollection a haze. Her whereabouts now are unknown."

The shame leaks out of her voice with a small crack, but returns to normal immediately after. "After recovering and assessing the situation, I began to investigate the circumstances of the ritual. Letters were found in her chambers that leave me to believe that my lady was in correspondence with someone in this city. An unknown sender, but may well know of the ritual my lady was conducting, and perhaps what fate has befallen her."

She lowers her head, respectful, solemn. "My lord has given me the year to discover the truth and settle this manner of honor before I submit my life for this grave failure in my duties."

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Margarita
Iemon nodded attentively to the account of his fellow Shiba. "Regrettably, curbing ambitious Isawa pushing beyond their limits is something that we have some experience in. I sympathize with your plight deeply, Shiba-san." 

It was an unfortunate situation, to be sure, and one that was likely more preventable had her charge simply listened to reason rather than presuming that she knew better than those seeking to advise her path forward. 

*Truly, we are fortunate that a similar demand was placed upon us after some of the local incidents that have brought us to this point.*

"Was there any further information in these letters about this ritual your lady was attempting? Was this sender offering guidance, or was there any other clue as to the nature of their communication?"

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Kenneth
Grateful for the sympathy, Shion lowered her chin just a fraction of an inch lower, then began to clarify her account.

"The letters offered instruction but no clear intent, only the promise of knowledge and mastery." It felt like poison on her tongue, to think that her lady was swayed by such obvious deception, but then perhaps they were not. Perhaps these letters were sent by someone she trusted. The crux of the case would be finding out who that was.

"There was no indication of a cypher or other trickery, so we presume that there may have been previous correspondence that have yet to be uncovered, detailing the results of this ritual." She had hoped to conduct a more thorough search before leaving phoenix lands, but her peers insisted that they would handle the matter while she set out on her quest.

*But surely they should not trouble themselves for her failures.*

Shion took a deep breath, to center herself. The swirl of emotion beneath her mask was starting to make itself known, the longer she spoke of this matter. "Her mentor must have been a Shugenja of some skill, an authority even, if she would place her trust in them. That is my current lead."

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Wilma
Sanumo piped up, concern visible upon his brow. « If that is the case, I could work to compile a list of potential candidates. Between our own dealings and consulting with the Imperial records, it would give you sufficient orientation to begin. »

He glanced to the Ambassador. His words had been carefully calculated not to promise anything until it was approved by the samurai of higher standing.

« It is, of course, paramount that you cause as few waves as possible. If you were to openly act suspicious towards even half of the shugenja in the city, it would cause myriad issues for our aims. »

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Margarita
"Any assistance in narrowing the scope of such an investigation that we can provide should be given." Iemon said, in answer to the glance from Sanumo. 

"As Asako-San has said, creating waves when unneeded will make not only your investigation difficulties, but our own interests in the city would likely suffer. Your prudence will likely be sorely tried in your efforts, but I have confidence you will not buckle under the strain." He said further, turning an appraising eye to his fellow Shiba. That she had undertaken such a task spoke of a firm sense of duty, but the struggle that she undertook to contain her emotions spoke of more than shame in her failure.

"The bond between a Yojimbo and their charge can be a powerful one. I can understand how such a weight can be difficult to shoulder, but you need not shoulder it entirely alone." Iemon added, gently. 

*That such an unparalleled talent as this Shugenja would seek advice from outside the Phoenix is almost unheard of... Apart from the recent example of Isawa Tadaka, that is...* 

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Kenneth
Kind words could salve the wound in a heart for a time, but only time would heal what may have been lost — and Shion did not have any to spare. 

"You honor me with your words and understanding, Shiba-sama." She let the hardness of her tone fall, convinced now that she was in less harsh company than what she had come to expect. "I will not cause you or our clan more grief than I have allowed already."

She raised her head and looked to the Karo, wearing her resolve on her face. "For your assistance and wisdom on the matter, as well as the ways of this city, I would be most grateful, Asako-sama."

His wariness was an admirable trait to a Yojimbo. She'd wish she had met them both in brighter circumstance. "And of course, as long as I remain in the city, I am at your disposal."

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Wilma
« Of course. It is my duty to assist and so assist I shall. » Nodding, he acknowledged her expressed gratitude. « If you are to meet with success in Ryoko Owari Toshi, it is first important that you know where we currently stand, diplomatically-speaking. » He straightened his posture and took on a tone more fitting for rote recitation than anything else.

« Among our poorest relations are the Crab and Unicorn. The Crab are still the subject of much feuding and scrutiny after Kuni Yori killed Isawa Tadaka, the late Master of Earth. The Unicorn, on the other hand, are distrustful because a now-ronin Isawa caught a prominent Utaku in the blast of one of their invocations. While the Unicorn lived, it shattered much of our gathered goodwill with them. »

He began tallying on his fingers as he went, « The Mantis are on neutral footing with us. The Crane, while normally among our greatest allies, have been distant for months and only recently extended an offer to reconnect. We are on good terms with the Dragon, especially when it concerns the Crab, but their samurai rarely make themselves known. »

« The most curious developments recently have been concerning the Lion and Scorpion. The Lion appear to have a more stability-oriented delegation within the city at present. We have unexpectedly managed to strengthen ties with them recently and they are arguably our firmest friends locally. The Scorpion have also been working with us to increase opium access for medicinal use, as well as navigate the local underworld to investigate concerning rumors. »

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Kenneth
Shion listened intently to every word, taking steps to ensure that her own personal thoughts were hidden well behind her mask. The Crab was no big surprise. The sins of the Kuni family were fresh in everyone's mind still. The Unicorn would give her pause however, this was not something she had heard about.

"Then we enjoy a relatively peaceful presence in the city then." She confirms, after Asako-sama has made his overarching review. This was good information. The Dragon could make good allies in her search for answers, given their own proclivities toward such matters.

The Scorpion could be useful, but it might be possible they had their own hand to play in her Lady's disappearance. They had their own secretive communions with the kami after all. She would, as any right-minded samurai ought, be wary of making deals with them.

"Perhaps I should start by fostering good will with the other clans then. My questions might be better answered as an exchange of favors than by tennous charity." Two birds in one stroke as well, she could get her answers while helping maintaining the status quo of their clan.

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Margarita
" That is a wise course of action." Iemon nodded, appreciatively. "Being able to receive help when it is freely offered, rather than as a favor to be returned will also keep you from being too overwhelmed and spread thin to the point of being ineffective."

He poured both of them the last of the tea. "If you will allow us to utilize your skills in ways that can assist you in your own duty, it would be appreciated. Though we have had a greater period of support over the last few months, it would be unwise for us to not ensure mutual gain for the Clan and for your quest if at all possible. I only ask because I do not wish to unduly burden you. Your primary duty is that of a Yojimbo, and I would not lightly impose on such a bond."

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Dang it, sorry all, had finished typing this but never hit send 😅||
Kenneth
Unduly burden... It seems they are both the type who avoid unnecessary imposition. She gives a slow, meaningful nod and takes a sip of what remains of her tea-cup. Closing her eyes to ruminate over her current position and what resources are now available to her. She would not permit herself to hope, that was the domain of those who lacked understanding of their own power.

"Then I shall set myself to my task with your blessing, Iemon-sama. Should you find a task suitable to my position, I will await word." Tea finished, she reaches for her scarf, and her hat, and prepares herself to be excused. 

"It has been a pleasure to make both of your acquaintance. I pray our fortunes in the coming days are prosperous."

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Wilma
"I am happy to count you among our numbers, Shiba-san." *If concerned about the circumstances surrounding your arrival.*

"I will make accommodations for you here at the embassy until further notice. Should you choose to arrange for exterior room and board, you need only notify me of such."

He gave a firm nod, ceding the floor to his superior for any final words and the dismissal of his lessers.

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Margarita
"The pleasure is rightfully shared, Shiba-san. Thank you for your willingness to assist us while pursuing your duties, it will not be forgotten." Iemon said finally, rising with their guest and offering a bow, excusing her. 

"I hope your stay will be beneficial both to your duty and to our Clan. Go with the Fortunes, Shiba Shion-san."

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