Mary
The matters of business in the Phoenix embassy began to draw to a close as Lady Sun grew lower in the sky. The last rays of her gaze fell gently on the shrine in their grounds, as Iemon strolled nearer to it to hear the priests and Shugenja chanting within. Though the embassy allowed visitors at nearly any time, customarily most of those who were to have arrived would have already done so, as risking travel at night was often incautious at best. 

So it was with mild surprise that he greeted the guard that approached him to inform him of a guest requesting an audience with travel papers. Iemon bade the guard lead the samurai to one of the receiving rooms of the embassy. *Hopefully there is someone in the kitchen to quickly brew some tea for us.* He thought to himself, amused.

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Sandra
It was a grand sight from the low villages or the school, they paled in comparison to the embassy of her Clan.

And now she herself was being led through its corridors in silent awe.

Hanna was led into a receiving where she lowered herself down, sitting on her knees.

Bowing upon Lemon's appearance, she had imagined this before, but this still blew her away.

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Mary
One of the servants opened the door, then picked up the tea pot and cups that had been set aside and placed them on the table. They were quickly followed by the ambassador, who returned the greeting bow of the samurai. 

"Welcome to Ryoko Owari Toshi, Nasu-san. Please, take tea with me. Have you eaten rice today?" Iemon sat and poured for the both of them. The guard had relayed the guest's name, but little else. "What brings you here so late in the day?"

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Sandra
Hanna rose from her bowing position to speak with dignity.

"Thank you, your grace, I arrive here today to offer myself to serve the Clan and empire," The samurai replies accepting a spot of tea.

"I ate early this morning, your grace," She answered with honesty, she had been nervous and did not want to eat, but still she did, as to keep her strength up.

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Mary
Iemon gave a bemused grin. "There are many adjectives I have had offered to describe me in the past, but 'grace' is a new one to my ears. Shiba-sama will more than suffice when speaking to me.

"We all serve, Nasu-san, and we are always happy to have additional willing hands of our Clan here. Please, let me see your travel papers, and I will ask the servants to bring some food for you." If this samurai had not eaten since the morning, then no doubt she must be famished. 

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Sandra
With a quick nod, Hanna switched the person's name for herself.

"As you wish, Shiba-sama," The samurai replied, bowing her head again.

Reaching down to the rope around her waist, Hanna produced the papers, and handed them to Lemon.

"Thank you, Shiba-sama," Hanna replied to the offer of food, she was indeed starving, but had been to nervous to eat.

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Mary
He reviewed the papers quickly, having sent for small bowls of miso soup and sprouts to serve as a repast for the evening. "You have been noted for your skill with the naginata I see. Most impressive." Iemon said, looking up at the warrior and sizing her up under an appraising gaze. 

"How have you served since your gempukku? What have you done to distinguish yourself?"

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Sandra
Hanna lowered her head a bit to think, given her mind was running faster than she could.

"I've been assigned to small villages, not more than that, Shiba-sama," The samurai replied promptly.

It was at this moment she wished her hat were on her head and not hanging down her back, it might help hide the small smile she was trying to stifle, she was good with a naginata, it came very naturally to her, and her teachers were immaculate.
Mary
Iemon nods. "I see. It is important work, protecting those beneath us in the Celestial Order, no matter the number."

The small bowls of soup arrived, still quite hot from the kitchen. He allowed the other samurai the first few sips, taking one himself. "Be that as it may, how then shall we utilize your talents for the good of the Clan? Garrison duty may be a start, but certainly not enough in this case."

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Sandra
Hanna softly blew on the steaming bowl, and took a sip before her mind began to pick up traction again.

"I will go wherever I am needed, Shiba-sama, be that on the battlefield or defending a city, I will do my best in any position," Hanna answered, taking another sip.

Her want in this part of her life was to defend people especially children, she did not have the life she wanted for herself growing up, but she could defend it for the next generation, as best as she could.