Mack
A clan functionary's workspace is often reflective of the individual occupying the related position. This was not an exception.

The space itself was sparsely adorned. Shelves lined either side of the room with the lowest of each side converted into locked cabinets for private or confidential belongings. The shelves were half-stocked; the remainder yet waiting to be filled over the course of Sanumo's tenure. The back wall of the room featured a modest window, conveniently situated for easy reading.

The only other furniture were the desk and chairs.

The desk was a somber tone, made of sturdy wood and with three mons branded into the front in a descending column; those of the Phoenix, Asako, and Asako Loremasters. It featured a metal scroll rack for incoming missives to be stored upon, as well as custom indentations and grooves in the desk's surface for convenient placement and storage of inkwells, brushes, and the like. The chairs were simple; not quite comfortable or uncomfortable. Seated at one behind the desk, Sanumo greeted those occupying the other two. The group had already exchanged bows prior to sitting.

« It is good to see the both of you returned in good health. It is no secret why I've gathered us together again today. I have news from my own investigations into Isawa Komako's disappearance, but I would hear what you two have uncovered first, if I may. »

Gesturing to the other two, Sanumo was the very picture of professionalism. He'd even arranged the embassy staff to provide tea for the occasion, though his own was only touched as much as politeness demanded.
Lisa
_Kashikoi bows as enters the space, taking it in as he moves to look Sanumo in the eyes. He hums, tilting his head before clearing his throat._

"We have discovered a potential Why to Isawa Komako's disappearance. I would ask to make sure; there have been no ransom notes or some similar means of demanding payment for Isawa Komako, yes?"

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Cynthia
*Tsustsumi similarly bows as he steps into the spartanly decorated workspace, dipping himself low as he entered, before sitting himself down, and speaking up,* "We discovered that her and her Yojimbo went to the shrine of Benten - and that the Yojimbo seemed somewhat... Irritated, almost."
Mack
He shook his head, his hair gently swishing as he did so. « No such note or equivalent has been delivered to my knowledge. »

Sanumo seemed lightly puzzled at Tsutsumi's addition to the conversation. « Irritated, you say? The accounts I was able to gather didn't have much to say about Shiba-san. At most they described him as quiet and dutiful. Perhaps things are not as harmonious as they could be between those two. »

Sanumo simply didn't have enough information to make a good guess as to why. The answer would surely come in time.

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Lisa
_Kashikoi hummed, nodding._

"Then it could be as I fear; that someone close to Isawa Komako abducted her. Though the deeper Why has not been deduced. I commend Shiba-san here for helping me come to this theory,"

_He gestures to Tsutsumi and nods along with his words._

"Indeed. While Isawa Komako was reported to be bright and upbeat about her upcoming betrothal, her Shiba seemed upset and irritated. Perhaps about the arrangement, tis likely."

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Eric
Taisei strolled in the office. He looked around the office taking in it's look. Many would say that it was plain and sparsely decorated. He would say that it was simple and practical. He gave everyone a smile and bowed. "Isawa no Akane Taisei reporting as ordered sir. How can I be of service?"
Lisa
_Kashikoi turns to see the man as he enters, smiling gently as he bows from his seat._

"Greetings, Isawa Kashikoi."
Mack
Offering a bow of his own, Sanumo greeted the newcomer. « Welcome. As you have likely guessed from my missive, I am Asako Sanumo, Karo to Shiba Iemon. It is good to have you here, especially on the short notice I was afforded. Truth be told, I thought I would need to inform you of the particulars at a later time. »

Noticing that his room was without the requisite number of chairs for such a thing, he stood and maneuvered his chair alongside those of the other attendees.

« Please, sit. It will do me good to have this meeting standing. » Returning to his previous position, he continued. « The ambassador himself offered your services, and those of Kaito Emiko, to me in the hopes of bringing this matter to a speedy resolution. We have been seeking the missing daughter of a Phoenix governor. Isawa Komako and her yojimbo, Shiba Yayoi, were last heard from within this city. They had been passing through to deliver Isawa-san to her betrothed in Scorpion lands. This is our first meeting to discuss our initial findings. »

He very briefly recounted the information that Kashikoi and Tsutsumi had shared so far.

« Did the two of you have anything else to report before we discuss my own findings? »

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Lisa
"We believe that someone close to Isawa Komako is responsible for her disappearance and ... Unfortunately one of the suspects is Shiba Yayoi herself in my personal theory. Be very careful around those who say they are close to Isawa Komako and watch the words they say carefully."

_Kashikoi speaks calmly and lowly, glancing around,_

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Eric
Taisei thanked them all for their kindness and sat. "Why would someone take her?" Taisei asked. "Do you think this could be political? I wonder if her or her father have any enemies."
Lisa
"Jealousy is one. Abhorrence at being married to a Scorpion is another,"
Eric
"That's horrid," Taisei replied. "For a samurai to be so sinful is distasteful. Whoever did this will pay for this dishonor."
Lisa
"The theory could be wrong, but why else would we have no ransom note or something similar of the sort?"

_Kashikoi hums, nodding._

"But yes, we must see the person responsible punished."
Jessie
Emiko had been running late. The demands of gods and spirits came before those of men, even if tardiness was rude.

She bowed deeply to her fellow Phoenix in apology for such a discourtesy and awaited whatever was to come from it.
Eric
"Hello again Kaito-san," Taisei smiled. "It seems there's not enough chairs. You can take my seat. You look tired, so you need it more than I do. I prefer to stand anyway." He stood up and gestured toward the chair.
Lisa
_Kashikoi bows the newcomer,_

"Another Isawa and now a Kaito? The more help we can gather from the kami the better, greetings Kaito-san, I am Isawa Kashikoi."

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Mack
« I agree. Please, enter and be welcome. As I said to Isawa Taisei-san, I had my doubts that either of you would arrive on such short notice, but I had already arranged this meeting before the ambassador authorized your assistance. »

For a few moments, he seemed mildly put out that he had to go through the whole explanation again, but it was only right. He briefed Emiko on their conversation up to this point and what information they had shared.

« Now that that is over, I'd like to share what I found in my investigation of the Dragon's Nest; the last known place Isawa Komako-san sent correspondence from before going missing. »

He began to pace slowly behind his desk, staring a bit into the middle distance as he recollected.

« The inn's staff had last seen the pair two to three weeks ago, but had heard nothing since then. Any belongings that were not on their persons were left behind. » He held up a hand as if to stall. « Rest easy. They have been reclaimed and are ready to send with them when the time comes. There was unfortunately nothing of note to be gleaned from these goods. »

« However, there was a... Furious disagreement in the common room as I went to leave. In defusing this, I asked some pointed questions and learned more useful information than I had the rest of the evening. A peasant woman claimed that both of our missing Phoenix were patronizing a temple, though they did not say which. This same woman had been trying to recruit others, presumably to help with said temple or something related to it. She was rather cagey on those points. » He waves as though to disperse smoke.

« Regardless, I impressed upon her my desire to meet our quarries to discuss this venture. The young lady believed that Isawa Komako-san would be more than happy to do so. At this point, I am only waiting for an invitation or for enough time to pass that I believe one is not coming. »

He surveyed the group for questions or suggestions.
Eric
"This is all so strange Asako-sama," Taisei said. "I not really sure what to make of this. I would like to know why they would be at a temple doing who knows what when they had important business to attend."
Jessie
"There must have been a matter of great importance to cause them to leave their belongings and depart from their original task." Emiko offered a generous explanation in cool, detached tones.

"If this peasant is asking others for help with a temple, there may be merit to taking them up on their request. Perhaps for others who are yet unknown to her to see about this place and maybe find our missing kin?"
Lisa
"So it could be a matter of importance rather than a potential sin against Clan, that is heartening."

_Kashikoi sighs gratefully, smiling as he looks at Sanumo,_

"That does greatly contradict the potential for Shiba Yayoi or someone else having abducted her, but the potential unfortunately still stands. Is there anything to counter this thought?"
Eric
"I'm not sure I agree with you Isawa-sama," Taisei replied. "If a Phoenix has a duty, then they will pursue that duty over everything, even matters of faith. As much as I don't want to believe that there is some kind of trouble here, I have to admit that all of this seems highly suspicious."
Mack
Sanumo cleared his throat to get their attention as the cross-talk got a little more lively.

« We would do well to speak of them as upstanding samurai until proven otherwise. There is no point in slandering their names as of yet. »

A particularly astute observer would notice that the rebuke was made gently and that he was not discounting the possibility of unsavory actions; only cautioning against premature declarations of wrongdoing.

« The peasant I spoke with was described as part of a band of wastrels. In combination with the news of the temple it makes me wonder if it is, in fact, being used as a temple at this time. »

He shook his head slightly as if stirring himself from a momentary daydream.

« No matter whether they had good reason or not, the crux of the matter is that we are to return them to the duties they have been neglecting. If they have found a worthy cause to pursue, we shall take over its administration and see them on their way. »

He left unspoken what else would happen if those they sought had not had good reason to disappear.

« This is the ambassador's will. We shall see it done. Shiba Tsutsumi-san, I urge you to be generous in your estimation of what forces we may need if they refuse to come with us or find themselves... Otherwise prevented. We have shugenja, both with us and that we seek. It would not do to see them come to more harm than is necessary. »

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Eric
"Forgive me Asako-sama," Taisei replied. "I did not mean to imply that they are in the wrong. It's times like this that I wish I had a tracking spell. Maybe we can go to this so called temple and Kaito-san and I could commune with the spirits there. Maybe they have more information to provide than a mere mortal."
Jessie
Emiko nodded in agreement.

"Speaking to the kami or to the people there, I am certain we will find out something of use."
Lisa
"Indeed, my haste to determine the cause has blinded me to my fellow's status."

_Kashikoi bows and glances around,_

"So, a contingent of heimin that claim to be seeking to restore or clear an old temple which our missing Phoenix likely went to aid in. Sounds promising."
Cynthia
*Tstutsumi begins to mentally calculate how much they'd need... The kind of forces that would overpower a shiba yojimbo and their shugenja charge, and then the kind of forces needed if the two refused to come along... He'd eventually reply,* "A moderate skirmish force should serve. I doubt that the group who captured them has the numbers to resist us, if they were indeed captured at all, and if they refuse to come with us, the size of our group should serve to prevent them from doing such in the first place - the size of the force serves as both a means of... Reminding them of their responsibility, and what it can bring to bear, and if they were captured, should do well in handle the forces that took them, as it seems to have been done by underhanded means, rather than force."
Mack
Sanumos clasps his hands in front of him. "Excellent observations. Between what the kami may deign to share and what our own forces will be able to glean after the fact, we will most assuredly have a clearer picture once we actually arrive on the scene."

"In my mind, the most important thing is to make sure that our visit is final. If we come back empty-handed, it will not only disappoint the ambassador, but drive those against us further into obscurity. We will attempt to do this peaceably and have our sterner measures on standby to catch any who should flee or to support us in the event of outright conflict."

He wasn't sure what he would do if he had to stare Iemon in the face and explain how success had slipped through his fingers. He'd not been in this position for very long, but it was leagues better than serving his previous Isawa lord. One way or another, he couldn't, *Wouldn't* Go back - not willingly.

"As soon as I receive a message confirming a meeting, I will make sure you are all notified. If the message never comes, we will adjust our plan accordingly and begin a more probing search for their exact whereabouts."

The idea clearly caused Sanumo a bit of distress, his otherwise proper posture slacking at the mention of it.

"But for now, you are all dismissed. I look forward to working alongside you further. Thank you for your service."

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Eric
"Good day then Asako-sama," Taisei replied with a bow. "It was a pleasure meeting all of you. I look forward to future endeavors by your side." He bowed to everyone and left.
Jessie
Emiko did likewise, offering a wordless bow of farewell to her fellows once dismissed and going about her own way.
Richard
It had been some weeks since word of Isawa Komako had arrived at the embassy. Such was to be expected, after all—if the girl had not seen fit to tend her duties out of obligation to her father or fiancé, then it was unlikely she would return at the call of an ambassador's assistant. 

Just when all seemed lost, however, a familiar face appeared. Though she was dressed the part of a traveler, complete with knapsack and headscarf, the peasant girl Asako Sanumo spoke with weeks prior at the Dragon's Nest manifested outside the embassy on fateful afternoon. After explaining her purpose to the staff, she was hurried inside and led to a meeting space. The long awaited news had finally arrived. Komako had made her decision. The karo needed only receive it. 

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Mack
This girl had previously seen him in his less-than-resplendent everyday wear, so Sanumo wasted no time changing his apparel. As soon as he was made aware of her presence, he came as directly and expeditiously as he could.

Giving her a nod of acknowledgement upon his entry, he smiled. "Welcome to our embassy! I trust you've been well tended to? Is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable while you're here?"

This was it. The time had finally come.
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Richard
"Ah, yes, of course, samurai-sama, very well tended. There is no good to do more for me."

The girl seems at least a little less frazzled than she had been in the weeks prior. Of course, she was still rather on edge—aside from the servants who tended such places, it was doubtful the average peasant ever set foot in the noble district, much less within the embassy of a great clan. 

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Mack
"Very good." He clasped his hands together. "That being said, what's the nature of your visit today? Have you had any more troubles with the Dragon's Nest? Or perhaps Isawa-san has sent a message for me?"

He doubted it was the former, if only because he would likely have heard about it from other sources first, but it never hurt to check and would help cover up any perceived eagerness over possible communication from Komako.

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Richard
The girl straightens up a little at the mention of Komako. It's quite clear, despite the game of pleasantries, that she would not have made the trek into such a viper's den of etiquette if not bid by a greater.

"Ah, no trouble, samurai-sama. I have not returned to the Dragon's Nest since that night..." She fusses with the hem of her kimono a little as she considers how best to impart her next words.

"Isawa-sama welcomes her kin to come visit her at the temple. She especially welcomes the presence of an additional, uhm, shugenja, which I believe you generously offered to send along last we spoke. She asked that I deliver the invitation to you and escort them to the grounds."

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Mack
Sanumo visibly perked up, « Oh, excellent! It will take me some time to find them and make sure we are both prepped for the journey. If it suits you, I can have temporary accommodations arranged for you in the meantime. I'll be as expedient as I can. »

He stopped, realizing something. « How long of a trip should we be ready for? Is it possible to go there and back in the same day or are we anticipating an overnight stay to avoid trouble? »

The state that she had arrived in led him to believe it might be a further trek than he had previously thought.

This certainly complicated things, but the plan should be workable with some minor adjustments.

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Richard
"Ah, o-of course. Please, take all the time you need."

The girl fiddles with her kimono a little more as she considers the question. It's obvious enough that she hadn't considered the finer points of traveling with such esteemed company, or how it would slow down the progress.

"The temple is, uhm, quite remote. It's built atop a natural spring, nearer the mountains to the north. I would say a day and a half away from the city by foot. A-At least, that's how long it takes me, samurai-sama."

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Mack
His eyebrows rose, « Oh, I hadn't realized we were looking at such an... Involved trip. No matter, I'll see it handled one way or another. Please, make yourself at home until we're ready to depart.»

Sanumo excused himself and made arrangements with the embassy staff to ensure the girl would be cared for while she waited on the them.

As quickly as was reasonable, he gathered the other investigators in his office to notify them of these new developments. He addressed the assembled samurai.

« Isawa Komako-san's messenger has arrived with an invitation, but we have some minor complications to contend with and I would seek all of your counsel. »

« Firstly, their temple is a day, perhaps most of two, to the North of the city - and that's as a lone individual making the journey. That means suitable provisions need to be prepared for all involved. »

« Secondly, she has made clear that the invitation has been extended to me and **One** Additional shugenja. I had been unsure if a more open offer would be extended, but that appears not to be the case. To that end, I need Isawa Kashikoi-san to accompany me, if only because I specifically mentioned in my message to her that I knew an ishiken she could meet. » He didn't relish working so closely with an Isawa, but this was the corner he'd painted himself into.

« That leaves us with what to do with the rest of you and the ashigaru. We want to keep this from outright violence, as well as ensure this heimin has no cause to refuse to take us to the temple or otherwise lead us astray. How best can we accomplish this? »

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Eric
"I think I have a suggestion Asako-sama," Taisei replied. "If just one shugenja is needed, then I suggest Kaito-san would be the best choice. If I am also needed, then I could hide my powers and and pose as a simple samurai. I'm not good at deception nor am I very keen on it, but if it is something simple like posing as a courtier or even as Kaito-san's yojimbo it would be fine. I could definitely pull either of those off. If it is needed, then I will be willing to do that."
Mack
Sanumo began to fidget, concern painting his features. « I... I'm afraid we may be overcomplicating this, at least with how the situation is evolving. Every layer of complexity that we add to this increases the likelihood of failure, especially with a group such as ours that is still unused to working in tandem. »

He sinks into thought briefly. Perhaps this was the wrong way to go about this. After all, if Komako (or whoever had claimed her) truly wished to stay hidden, they would never have sent the messenger back in the first place. Drawing attention and scrutiny would be counterproductive in most scenarios he considered.

« Shiba-san, I am sorry to do this to you last-minute, but I believe we need to leave the ashigaru with the embassy. We're already bringing more company than expected and I believe the ashigaru will represent a tipping point that will ensure blood is spilled. »

He seemed a bit more present; his attention returning to the room around him as he spoke more.

« We will infringe upon her hospitality by all going together. From there we will do our best to ease tensions and find a resolution wherein she will return with us. If it is not to be... We will have to figure something out. »

While he said it with finality, he swept his gaze over those present in search of any dissent or suggestions that those present may try to sway him with.

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Lisa
"I see, why would she have need of my particular abilities is a very interesting question; but I digress!"

_He smiles, moving to fiddle with the edges of his sleeves as he hums in thought,_

"Hopefully she does not take our actions as an act of aggression or those who may hold her. I do agree, simplicity works best for now, besides, we must trust that our fellow Phoenix means well."

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Cynthia
*Tsutsumi was watching - he let Sanumo work things out, content to wait until orders were given, mentally tallying things up... And coming to the same conclusion that bringing a force of ashigaru at all would be counterproductive - when Sanumo states the same, he dips his head,* "Of course, Asako-san. I'll send out the orders for the ashigaru to remain at the embassy, and see to procuring provisions for the trip? If you're worried of the response by all of us going together, I could remain here and oversee the embassy while you are away."

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Mack
"I don't suspect she has a specific thing in mind for you, Isawa-san. It is not often one has the chance to meet someone of your... Capabilities." However shrouded in mystery they might be.

It was a relief that Tsutsumi didn't fight him on this. To say that Sanumo had little experience in such matters was an incredible understatement, so the reassurance by a more seasoned samurai was welcome.

"Please do see to our provisions, yes - including your own. We live in troubling times and I do not know the environs outside of Ryoko Owari Toshi enough to feel safe without a capable warrior at my back. It would calm all of our spirits to have you join us. Besides, our host cannot fault us for bringing you when she has a yojimbo to shield her."

He took a centering breath and fixed his posture. "I will go apologize to our guide for the inconvenience of bringing more guests than are expected. I doubt she fill argue the point, but still. As soon as you are all ready, we shall depart."

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Eric
"Yes Asako-sama," Taisei replied standing up and bowing. "I will ready myself as soon as possible." He bowed again and rushed out. He made his way to his estate and gathered his supplies.