Rose
It is known that all men are not cast back into the mortal plane equal, some are born higher on the Celestial Order benefiting their deeds in their past and some are born lower for the same reason. 
Some are born fairer than others and some stronger, smarter and swifter, those that can speak to the kami and those who cannot.
One might say it is unfair for these men to blessings. Yet Heaven is known to be fair in all dealings, thus it is made so that the higher castes have their duties to chain themselves by and the lower castes have the worlds indifference and a simple life where they are mostly free of great consequences, provided they Heaven's Will of course.
The fair have vanity, the strong arrogance, the swift brushing past any blessing they get and the smart having their blessing kept out of their reach by their own good sense.

Naoki turns around another corner yet to return to another street he has been in an hour ago.
Many people would think it odd that he, who can remember every title in the 1st to 4th row of 3rd shelf of the 9th section of the Resplendent Wing of the Library at Kyuden Isawa, cannot find himself a way out of it.
To them he recounts that at a young age his uncle tried to remedy this by training his mind to remember every detail of a subject hence the good memory, yet it did nothing to cure his impaired sense of direction.
No matter what, somewhere along the way to his destination he would always be distracted by the scenery, so he could not help himself from settling down to paint it and forget his way, mishear a line when asking for directions and lose his way, or just simply forget a turn or two and end up off the way, but it is the self reflection on his very fate that always keeps himself from getting on track!

Naoki turns around another corner and held back blasphemous curses, for he is once more back in the street where they sell shit.
Ever since he bid those merchants used as guides into the city farewell, a whole morning passed wasted wandering so Naoki decided to change from the travelling grab donned upon the undertaking this journey into the set of clothes he uses for tea ceremonies and other such formalities, to which he asked a pair of Lion and a group of Unicorn who crossed his path for the way to the embassy which they kindly pointed out. 
Come the midday he once again saw them once again but did not approach them out of embarrassment and the shame it would cause to fall upon the Phoenix in this city to have someone like him in their delegation.
Despite everything he does not have ample cause to lament his life, remember that Heaven is fair in all of its dealings, and for better or worse the affection of the fire kami are nothing to scoff at.
In the past 10 generations there has been no shujenga in his family until him, now imagine the praise and thanks they shouted to Heaven once the Elemental Master of Fire called upon him.

He turns around another corner, the bustle of the after lunch crowd stirs up such a scenery to Naoki's listless eyes that with the dwindling charcoal he has left in his pack along one last leaf of paper he sets up his canvas and rests awhile to sketch out this view, one of the several he has packed away to present to the Ambassador and to ask of him paints to finish them with.
Another blessing he thank wholeheartedly from Heaven is the gift of being able to paint well, his little indulgence from the training and tests in Slumbering Thunder, by the fire kami no doubt.
Who else besides Heaven itself does Naoki have to thank for this position he is in now, they do all he asks of them though often to such a uncontrollable degree, and is now bestowing to him bouts of creativity and potential which he has turned into his very own talent.

He eases down and lets his hand and the kami guide the charcoal to form shapes of the quickly crowding mass of people going to and fro in this City upon the canvas.
Since he has changed from the travelling garb he often uses as a disguise, he has no choice but stay still and hope that his now formal attire might cause his kinsman to recognise him, the same style of rescue he has employed since he was young.
The day will soon pass into night and by that time Naoki knows he cannot discern what may happen by that time or guarantee his own safety.
Nor can Naoki guarantee the safety of any who wish harm upon him and the surrounding structure about them, such sentiments he putters and mutters about in his minds room so that his nerves ease back in the state which he can properly paint the scenery before him.
So Naoki continues his craft assured, the Phoenix nor any Clan for that matter would ever leave around a Tensai unnoticed, let alone a Fire Tensai.
Dorothy
Noboru has felt drawn to the market. That much was certain. The relationship he had with the water Kami had grown further since he had left his life of war behind. He still had duties to attend to, and superiors to report, but the less regimented existence outside of the Elemental Guard allowed more time to foster his spiritual connections. 

Staff in hand, he walked down the lane, his kimono a simple orange with the Isawa mon proudly emblazoned upon his chest, with a slight embellishment of blue thread around the elemental symbol of water to denote his skill as a tensai. 

Though nearing 40, he had maintained a slender and toned build, his steps naturally smooth as he maneuvered through the after lunch crowd. Not that many sought to crowd a Clan samurai, let alone a Shugenja, but he took a small measure of pride in minimizing the amount of space others had to give him as he eased his way past.

He noticed the younger man before the other had noticed him, as the young artist seemed absorbed in his work. A faint whisper from the water kami as of steam from a boiling pot confirmed to him *This* Was why they had beckoned him forth from the Embassy. 

He approached, easily closing the distance through the crowd. "Good afternoon, Cousin-san. I do not think we have met before. Are you new to this city?"

||
Rose
The sound of scratching made by the barely cohesive lump of charcoal in Naoki's hands drowns out all other noise as he finishes his latest proof of concept for his painting, in this moment he has submerged back within his minds room copying the multiple instances of subjects he has deigned to favour from whole moment when the lunch crowd first started.

That geisha he thinks would be nice to put in foreground that always gets peoples attention, just off to the left side so that prudes wont complain, and that mole and the rest of her attire would be nice to retain its just the rest of the face that has to go, Fair's face should do the trick but it would not do well with the scowling emotion she has right now, he thinks.
Aha! A flash of inspiration strikes him, I should pair her off with this fine muscled and handsome specimen of a merchant here, adjust his purse size and he will have an excuse of some extra coin to spend this fair evening and this fair woman would attract him to make it so, but its lunch right now not night so it would be rude to discuss business, lets give him Strong's face and make them a little loose and lecherous to give the impression that they will do business this night, and so pleased with this finishing motif and yet another excuse to throw shade at his senpai he drafts up the finishing touches to this new artwork.

"Good afternoon, Cousin-san. I do not think we have met before. Are you new to this city?"

Naoki is brought back from the room within startled, his rescue has arrived.
He has cracked the last remains of his charcoal and while rubbing his hands to clear it off the stains to make himself presentable he gazes at hopefully who would be his guide.
A He ranging from late 30 to early 40s, ah his kinsmen found him at last, and a tensai to boot he notes, now here comes the tricky part about etiquette one he knows he is no good at, how must I address him?
Well he is a fellow tensai, but he is older so...

"Good afternoon Cousin-dono, hai I believe have not and it is my first time in Ryoko Owari."
Dorothy
"Ah, I see!" Noboru tapped his staff on the ground lightly as he positioned himself adjacent to the younger man to be less of an obstacle to the crown around them. His eyes fluttered down to the charcoal sketch that had been worked on. "Most impressive, I must say." The observation was out of basic politeness, rather than any expertise on his part.

"I am Isawa Noboru, and I am still somewhat new to this city myself. If you like, I can bring you to our Embassy so that you may present your travel papers."

His words, though acceptably polite, are perhaps more matter-of-fact than anything else. 

||
Rose
Packing up his canvas and stowing away his bundle of paintings in his travelling pack was the least he could to make himself presentable to the Embassy gathered here and his fellow tensai, so far he has been successful in being polite and his choice of words were the right ones, he just needs to keep sticking to this for tomorrow and the days to come in his time here.

"Forgive me Cousin-dono for imposing on you on this matter, but I would wager without your help I would still be wandering these streets come tomorrow."
Dorothy
"If you hadn't asked for directions to the Embassy by then, it would likely not have been beneficial to your health to have remained outside wandering for that length of time." Noboru replied, gruffly. 

"But it is no imposition. One of my spiritual exercises that I have undertaken with the Water Kami is to allow them to carry me like the tide. Today they have brought me to you." He began to lead the way away from the markets and towards the Embassy district.

"What duty brings you to Ryoko Owari Toshi?" Despite the bustle of their surroundings, his voice carried easily, as of used to speaking over loud noises.

||
Rose
"Please be assured Cousin-dono, a night spent outdoors would not trouble me so, however..."

The shujenga falls behind the steps on his guide, still embroiled in debating on whether the silent omission of his disability had gone over his senior's head or that he had graciously paid it no mind, whichever it may be, what needs to be done currently is to head to the Embassy as fast as possible and be as courteous to his guide as possible as to say he had not wasted his guides time, and while he was at it gather some information about the city.

"... It is still a Scorpion city after all is it not, it would be a folly. 
As for my duty, you have seen me at work, I have volunteered to make my way here after hearing my clans delegation were in need of some assistance with some certain subjects after some incidents had occurred."
Dorothy
"Well, it is *Technically* An Imperial city, some of the events that have intensified gaze of the Empire here also led to an Imperial governor in place of the Scorpion for the time being." Noboru stated, vague only due to it being a course of events that had occurred well before he had arrived.

"If you are here to assist in smoothing over some of the more recent happenings, then we are both here as part of our Clan's response. Another cousin of ours called down lightning within the bounds of the city, injuring a heimin girl as well as a prominent Unicorn. The shame of that allowed the Unicorn to push forward a request to reopen the question of if their practice of meishodo is heresy, as the Elemental Council had previously ruled. The fallout amongst the populace has... Left our esteem among the locals reduced, to say the least."

They quickly crossed the gates to the Embassy district, leaving the crowds behind. The paths here were well-maintained, and Noboru led the younger man along the path taking them around the grounds of a walking park. "Almost there now, Isawa...?" He let the question hang, lightly, as the younger man had not introduced himself yet. *Wouldn't be proper to bring someone I don't know the name of to the gates of our Embassy.*

||
Rose
"Ah" Naoki realised.

There it is, the long expected blunder in this conversation, not as bad as conversations before as this one can be remedied. According to his guide they are finally close to the Embassy which means there are only so few opportunities to slip up on his etiquette.
Now about the incident, the rumours that have spread over to the lands of the Phoenix have certainly been exaggerated that is clear, merely giving an heimin and a Unicorn Osono-Wo's handshake would warrant a dozega, some exchange of useless niceties and goods. 
A damned shame that it happened in one of the most volatile places in the history of Rokugan and to a member of another clans peace delegation, they are even spared by the virtue of his kinsman control over the kami and they have the gall to claim reinbursement for this. 
Yet even with this, he wagers those venerable members of the Elemental Council would not even lift a finger, they say it would be considered and when it has calmed down or a new issue presented itself they would pass it out of memory.
Any mastermind of that incident should have considered framing his cousin of maho, that would stir them to action.

"Isawa Naoki, Noboru-dono and please be assured that I will give my all to remedy any ill done upon our name. 

||
Dorothy
Noboru gave a soft grunt, somewhere between amusement and acknowledgement. *Didn't need the kami to tell me this one does indeed have a fire in him.* He thinks to himself. 

"Good. We have much to work for, and you certainly have the drive to do so, Naoki-kun. It is good that you have come here." 

They finish the walk to the Phoenix embassy and stop at the gate. Noboru gives a quick nod to the guard. "Inform Karo Asako-sama that we have a new Clanmate here to present his travel papers, and I will be with him in the meeting room overlooking the pond." Without any further pause, he proceeds in, ushering the younger man in. 

He made quick turns in the embassy proper, bringing him directly inside the main building past the shrine and interior courtyard. "There will be plenty of time to see the sights later, for now we should ensure we follow protocol." 

Ironic, given that Noboru had sped off following the beckoning of the kami without bothering to bring his assigned Yojimbo with him. The Shiba had needed her rest, no reason to trouble her with his every movement. *The Fortunes know I can take care of myself quite handily, should the need arise.*

They opened to a small meeting room with a table, some calligraphy hung as decoration on the walls, and overlooking the small pond with shishi-odoshi, the sound rhythmic as it carried into the window.


||
Ruby
Over the next minutes, servants could be occasionally heard bustling to and fro through the halls. The Karo himself eventually opened the door, stepping into the room and to the side so the servants could bring in tea.

Sanumo was a young man possessed of a visible weariness normally attributed to those with more years under their obi. His dark, shoulder-length hair was kept at bay by a single loop of cord around his forehead. He gave a critical look over the other two samurai before bowing, his plain, earth-colored kimono gently brushing the floor in so doing.

"Isawa Noboru-san." He briefly acknowledged the agent of the Elemental Council as he crossed the space to the table and sat. Regarding the new arrival, he introduced himself more formally. "Greetings, Isawa-sama. I require your name and your travel papers."

The Karo, it seemed, was all business - though he did begin to pour tea ||for the newcomer first and then for Noboru|| while the papers were produced.

||
Rose
Fussing over his travel pack and pack of canvases while taking his place at the offered seat and tea set, he manages to find his papers secured and presents them to his new supervisor. So far he has only gaffed once in his communication efforts today, yet the day is still young he reminds himself. 
Better not slip up further in his show of etiquette and make a good first impression.

"Isawa Naoki, here to serve his clan Karo-sama " Says Naoki presenting his papers.

That would be a proper greeting he thinks, a short show of humility and acknowledging aside from passing his gempukko and passing into the ranks of the vaunted tensai he has done no notable feats warranting the use of -sama, and even if he were to rudely interject that would be disrespecting his sensei's efforts in educating him.
He can't even take stock pride in his paintings, there was always someone better than him.
 

||
Dorothy
Noboru's eyes narrowed slightly, first at the more blatant needling of a lesser honorific than their newest Phoenix, but also at the tea poured for the younger man first. *He really must be trying to get a rise out of me.*

He corrected the slip in his composure, not wanting to give the Karo the satisfaction of openly displaying umbrage. He picked up his cup with a knowing look to Sanumo, making it clear this was something they would discuss later. He had yet to find out the full reasoning for the Karo's dislike, but he meant to find out before he had an improper outburst. *Which means I should endeavor to find out soon.* He thought grimly.

"It seems Isawa-kun is here as a further response to the recent happenings, with the hope of helping to smooth over some of the rough patches that have become apparent since, Asako-sama." His voice had a rote even tone, as one practiced in keeping up appearances but lacking practical application would have. 

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Ruby
« Is that so? » He asked rhetorically, beginning to look through Naoki's travel papers. As he did so, he was fairly sure he caught some displeasure from Noboru, but he frankly couldn't be bothered to puzzle out why the agent of the Elemental Council would be upset with him; not with a matter being presently resolved. « Fortunate indeed. »

The papers themselves seemed sufficient, if sparse, and echoed what Noboru had said. They noted that the Tensai had past experience related to opium smuggling rings which, while useful, wasn't immediately applicable to their goals.

*So what to do with him?*

« Isawa Naoki-san, » he corrected his choice of honorific, now more sure of where he stood in relation to the new arrival, « the situation we are in is delicate and has many moving parts. What talents do you have and how do you think we might ply them to our advantage? »

An Isawa's opinions always had to be taken with a block of salt, but they would help him understand the general situation they found themselves in.
Rose
At the Karo's words, Naoki at once begins to gently unpack his small portfolio of canvases. Here in this city, is his chance to find a proper posting aside from shrine duties and odd missions. A chance that his name would be spoken of as a tensai of no note, to be remembered as someone and pass into the afterlife with no regrets and be amongst the honoured ones. 

"I have heard tidings that our clan requires an artisan to ply their craft in this embassy so here I am, and here is my meagre assortment of drawings that I have made over the course of my journey Karo-sama. Though it may seem shoddy I assure you I can prove that these are mere echoes of what I can do with paint and a larger canvas."

And here it is, the rows of unclaimed sprouting green left to be abandoned in the wayside, the bustling stream of traffic going to and fro at the gate of the city itself and his best one yet, the after-lunch crowd, all done with charcoal just as is or when he found the time for it, crushed finely and water coloured.

"Should these be deemed of no use, I will endeavour to follow any judgement you make of my presence in this city with full understanding and gratitude, on my honour."
Ruby
With an unexpected reverence, Sanumo looked over each piece with a critical eye ||Lore: Art 3||. While not a painter himself, his time amongst artisans and their works lent him enough perspective to reasonably judge these pieces.

He was not found wanting. Though made in haste and with limited resources, they showed notable skill.

At last, he broke the silence, gently returning the last canvas. « You have not heard incorrectly. In such eventful times, tensions are high. The balm that a quality piece of art brings to the spirit is not to be underestimated. »

Though he was skeptical of the man, if only for his status as an Isawa, he couldn't deny the talent on display. « I believe that, so long as you are careful how you tread, we will have much use for you in the coming days. »

||
Rose
Just do nothing shifty, and there may be a chance to show his quality, seems simple enough.
What else waits for him and what works will he give form to now he wonders. 

"My upmost gratidue Karo-sama, if you wish for it Karo-sama, choose any of those sketches and provide me paint and a suitable sized cancas I will set to work any piece you desire."

||we done or anyone else want to post more?
Dorothy
Noboru nodded in appreciation of the pieces displayed. *The fire Kami make their blessings known quite plainly in this young man's case.* Water gave him its own blessings, giving Noboru both adaptability and perceptiveness, but with a greater sensitivity to the ebb and flow of his own emotions. *Hopefully Fire's downsides are easily contained by this young man.*

"If I may suggest, the market scene that I had come across you working on would be ideal. I will, of course, bow to the Karo's wisdom, but a prosperous market scene in the city we all inhabit would be an excellent first full-fledged piece out of this set before us."

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Ruby
Perhaps of surprise to the older Isawa, Sanumo found himself nodding along. « I concur. Once I have made arrangements for your lodging here at the embassy, provide me with a list of everything you need to ply your craft. I will do my best to see it fulfilled in full. »

« That said, there are some things you should know before you wander the city more freely... »

||I'd like to end the scene here under the assumption that Noboru and Sanumo give Naoki a political briefing in-character. It would amount to the same content that Mai and I discussed with you in the Phoenix chat a little while back. Does that work for you?