Cynthia
A long pause lingered between Daiki's knocking and the eventual answer, but an answer eventually came all the same.

"You may enter."

The interior of the office was somewhat different from its counterparts across the embassy. The staff had gone to great lengths to ensure each and every private space within the embassy remained tastefully decorated: art, flowers, and fine furniture sure to uphold the high standards of the clan's bureaucrats and diplomats as they tended their business in the city. The Daidoji's office, by comparison, had been stripped down to the bare essentially. 

Where fine painting may have once been displayed, heavy looking cabinets had been hastily squeezed in, each of which was adorned by equally stalwart looking locks. Where a beautiful flower display might have livened up the room, a suit of imposing looking lacquered armor sat upon its accompanying rack, the fearsome mien of its *Mempo* Equaled by that found on the face of the man in front of it. Behind a low desk, a short, severe looking samurai of middle age sat, his blue eyes affixed immediately upon Daiki the moment the door parted. 

"Sit, and tell me what need you have of me, Doji-san."

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Federico
Taking stock of the man behind the desk, then of the office itself, Daiki stepped inside. He closed the screen smoothly behind him before he turned to the man properly and gave a deep bow of greeting.

*No-nonsense, military, important enough to have his own office... Appropriate honorifics for sure, and a very brief introduction to be respectful of his time.*

**"Apologies for the intrusion, Daidoji-sama, and my thanks for seeing me without notice,"** He said, remaining bowed. **"I am newly arrived from Kyuden Kakita, training in the duelist dojo and the forges."** He added politely before straightening up and stepping closer. Protocols respected, he delved properly into the answer to the Daidoji's question, careful not to mince words. **"There is the matter of the theft, which I assume you are informed of? I have been asked to assist in investigating. Tell me, you are in charge of assigning the ashigaru that guard the embassy, are you not?"**

It was a tricky bit of wordplay. To be brief and not waste the time of such a to-the-point individual while still avoiding implying fault given his responsibility over those in question was a thin line to tread. **"I have need of your knowledge on the matter of their assignments during the time of the incident. The records have gone missing, and I cannot help but feel this was no accident - perhaps a means for the thief to cover their tracks? But that is only a guess for now."**
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Cynthia
"I have been and am."

The grim looking Daidoji did not so much as flinch at the implication that some of the ashigaru had been implicated in the theft of the documentation. He listened until Daiki had said his part, and then spoke in turn, his voice as crisp and authoritative as any dojo sensei.

"You feel it is no accident because it is not an accident. Somebody purposefully took those files from where they were kept. That much indicates that whoever stole them knew where they were, and knew what they were looking for."

Were it possible for his features to grow any more severe, they certainly would have as he continued on.

"I would attend to this matter personally were my duties in this city not more immediately pressing. If you wish my leave to question the security detail at the embassy, then you have it. Many of them are fresh recruits from the southern Crane provinces, and will likely acquiesce to whatever request you make of them out of fear alone."

The matter seemed settled enough to the older gentleman, who looked to the handful of non-descript documents atop his desk as if to indicate he was no longer interested in speaking on the matter. It was often the way of the Daidoji to be curt and straightforward, after all. But after a moment or two, he seemed to think better of leaving things.

"I will say that I doubt the culprit is among them—it is possible that one or two might have thought to pilfer sensitive materials in the hopes of finding a buyer, but to do so without their fellows noticing? Doubtful. It would imply collusion within the guard, and collusion often requires familiarity. Familiarity not found in fresh-faced farm boys who have known each other for a month."

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Federico
Sanerori had made it fairly clear thus far that Daiki was on borrowed time. Sensing that it was nearly up, he made one last play to try to extend his welcome long enough to make some headway.

**"I thank you for your permission and shall avail myself of the opportunity post-haste. Also, I agree wholeheartedly,"** Daiki said with a slight incline of his head. His stormy eyes did not leave the Daidoji. **"It was planned in advance, no question. However, despite some of the documents being trade-related, I doubt that profit was the primary motive."**

To contradict a superior to his face, especially one who had not demonstrated an immense amount of patience was risky, but hopefully the minor sleight would invite more curiosity than anger. **"A shugenja aiding in the investigation had a word with one of the kami within the office, and the message they returned, though vague, spoke of 'vindication.' Does that stir up any thoughts for you?"**

Sayenori did not seem the type to trust an air kami's word - though certainly for ample reason. Still, it seemed prudent for the moment to leave out that little detail so the clue would not be dismissed out of hand.
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Cynthia
Saneyori's expression did not budge an inch when the question was posed to him, though even the trademark Daidoji stoicism, it was difficult to say if any question could truly shift his mask. 

"The kami are not my area of expertise—the Asahina attached to this embassy would be the ones to ask on such matters," Perhaps realizing that a non-answer was unhelpful in the face of such a query, regardless of his qualification to answer, the gunso continued, "If vindication is what they meant to communicate, perhaps they simply wished to encourage the shugenja's line of questioning. To vindicate them for asking."

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Federico
**"Nor are they mine,"** Daiki said with an apologetic smile and a bow. **"Thank you for your time, Daidoj-sama. I shall shift my focus to the ashigaru as you suggest."** He half rose from his bow, but paused. **"If you happen to think of anyone specific - be it individual or group - who would feel particularly 'vindicated' by taking steps to interfere with our trade and influence in the city in this way... Please do not hesitate to send word."**

It had been the question behind his question in the first place, but the stoic response had not been incorrect. Shugenja would be much more helpful interpreting the kami. Still, Daiki had a lot of little hunches and no solid leads to affirm any of them. For now, diligence and thorough methods would be his best ally. He rose to his proper height and held the gunso in his steel-blue gaze.

**"I trust that you know your troops well. If intimidation is to be my best boon as you imply, might I trouble you to apply your personal chop to the matter?"** He inquired, raising an eyebrow. **"Your granted authority would carry far more weight with something tangible to back it up. I would be more than happy to pen the notice on your behalf to save you the trouble. With that in hand, I can foresee no further need to intrude upon your time, save for true emergencies."**

It was perhaps a presumptuous proposal, making suggestions of how a ranking member of the clan used their chop, but Sayanori had made it clear so far that peace and quiet were appealing prospects. Offering him a little of both may help clear up any misgivings on the matter.
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Cynthia
The older gentleman's brows furrow when confronted with the Doji's words, and though it would be beyond the realm of possibility for his eyes to harden much further, a clear dissatisfaction was expressed in the subtleties of his mien. 

"I did not claim you should mean to intimidate them. I simply said that they would acquiesce to your requests out of fear. You will find most heimin to do similarly when faced with questioning by an irate samurai," There was a sterness to his explanation, but a distinct lack of aggression, as speaking simple fact rather than correcting an assumption, "You will also find that when pressed, they will be quick to provide whichever answer seems to placate their better the fastest. If you desire the truth, you will need to straddle a fine line between authority and allowance. Authority which must be your own, Doji-san."

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Federico
Bowing his head briefly, Daiki was forced to admit defeat. **"As you say. Daidoji-sama."** Facing his frame more properly to the older man, he bent fully at the waist and lowered his head so that white locks fell like curtains around his face. **"You have been more than generous with your time and I shall not impose upon you further. May The Fortunes smile upon you,"** He said, returning to his full height and making for the exit.

Once back in the hall and with the shoji closed behind him, he heaved a silent sigh of disappointment. He had hoped for more than a simple go-ahead to proceed with questioning, but it would have to do for now.

Making his way to the barracks, he took a few extra moments to rally his wits after the lukewarm exchange with the Daidoji. Upon arriving, Daiki waved down the first ashigaru that caught his gaze. **"A moment, please,"** He said. His tone was clipped - as he was addressing someone who was heimin. **I am looking for an ashigaru known as 'Kana.' Where may they be found?"**
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Cynthia
The barracks was largely clear of souls in the middle of the day. The Crane did not command the largest of garrisons to begin with, and many of the soldiers stationed therein were either attending their duties at the embassy, or otherwise enjoying leisure time off in the city. A young man a few years Daiki's junior—who seemed to be in the process of undoing his armor to change into more casual garment—quickly snapped to attention in response to the samurai's sudden appearance. 

"Kana-sama? She spends most of her time at the bazaar these days, but I remember seeing her by the koi pond in the courtyard on my way back from watch duty, samurai-sama." 

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Federico
**"Thank you, ashigaru-san, and thank you for your service to the Crane,"** He added. With the young man's accoutrement partially disassembled, and knowing he would be expected to bow far lower than his better regardless of his state of dress, Daiki offered a very modest bow before turning and taking a quickened pace out onto the grounds of the embassy.

The koi pond had always been a favorite spot of his since first he had made his way to Ryoko Owari Toshi. It was a part of the sprawling gardens that reminded him most of Kyuden Kakita. Emerging onto the lush green grass of the gardens, Daiki pause, taking a breath as his focused steel-blue eyes scanned the edge of the pond for an ashigaru woman.
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Cynthia
It didn't take long to spot the ashigaru amidst the serenity of the koi pond. A woman of middling height and equally middling age, the soldier known as Kana must have had a sharp eye about her, as it only took her a split second to spot Daiki's approach and snap to attention. A crisp bow was offered in turn.

"Samurai-sama. Did you need the pond to yourself? I was just finishing up my business here."

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Federico
Responding with a moderate bow so as not to force the ashigaru to bow lower, he answered in a brief, cordial manner. **"Kana-san, I presume? I am Doji Daiki,"** He explained, returning to his upright posture. **"I am actually here to speak with you on a matter of some importance."** 

Despite the lack of apparent witnesses, Daiki stepped slightly closer, lowering his voice. **"I assume you are aware of the matter of the break-in? I and a few others are tasked with following up on the matter. Bad business, and rather troubling how it was done without any forthcoming witnesses."** His tone did not carry any malice, but there was ice behind his words. **"You are in a senior position over the other ashigaru in the embassy, are you not? Surely you must have some thoughts on the matter, at least as to whose duty it was to guard the entrances, patrol the grounds... Not to mention watching the clerk's office where things went missing."**

It was nothing more than an invitation to speak her mind. At least - that is all it was for the time being.
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Cynthia
"That's actually why I'm here, Doji-sama. I spend most of my time over at the bazaar these days, but one of the lads informed me of the break-in. Figured I would come here on my off hours and check things out."

The iciness might have been off-putting, perhaps even intimidating for someone with lesser experience in dealing with their superiors. But for a seasoned ashigaru who had served under countless samurai, it didn't seem to bother her overly much.

"I questioned the boys on watch duty these last couple of nights. Asked 'em whether or not they noticed any of the scribes acting strangely, any lingerers near the walls or the gates, any dignitaries that seemed out of place—nothing, from every one of them. Well, almost nothing."

Her eyes drifted down toward the surface of the pond. The koi within wheeled to-and-fro, traveling the wide, stony basin in languid circles.

"Around five nights ago, two of the guards reported something a little out of the ordinary. They said the koi were making a real fuss for some reason. They're usually pretty quiet, on account of being fish and such, so it took them as strange. One of them kept watch while the other investigated, and when he couldn't find anything, they switched off. Nothing turned up, and the fish went back to their normal, easily missed selves not long after."

The heimin allowed herself a soft sigh.

"Apologizes, Doji-sama. I know it isn't much, but it's all I've managed to turn up. Shy of interrogating the koi, I don't think there's much else to do about it.""That's actually why I'm here, Doji-sama. I spend most of my time over at the bazaar these days, but one of the lads informed me of the break-in. Figured I would come here on my off hours and check things out."

The iciness might have been off-putting, perhaps even intimidating for someone with lesser experience in dealing with their superiors. But for a seasoned ashigaru who had served under countless samurai, it didn't seem to bother her overly much.

"I questioned the boys on watch duty these last couple of nights. Asked 'em whether or not they noticed any of the scribes acting strangely, any lingerers near the walls or the gates, any dignitaries that seemed out of place—nothing, from every one of them. Well, almost nothing."

Her eyes drifted down toward the surface of the pond. The koi within wheeled to-and-fro, traveling the wide, stony basin in languid circles.

"Around five nights ago, two of the guards reported something a little out of the ordinary. They said the koi were making a real fuss for some reason. They're usually pretty quiet, on account of being fish and such, so it took them as strange. One of them kept watch while the other investigated, and when he couldn't find anything, they switched off. Nothing turned up, and the fish went back to their normal, easily missed selves not long after."

The heimin allowed herself a soft sigh.

"Apologizes, Doji-sama. I know it isn't much, but it's all I've managed to turn up. Shy of interrogating the koi, I don't think there's much else to do about it."