Larry
Moshi Mai was tired. So many things going on, and so little time. Getting _Tomodachi Mura_ ready for business, sending the magistrate out to make collections, preparing for a dangerous trip out to fight river bandits, not to mention spending some quality time with her daughter... It was a lot. 

Thus, while she'd be more inclined to drink with her crew and make merry, she decided to do the opposite, and go to enjoy some simple meditation on her lonesome, in her chambers in the embassy. 

Chiyoko, ever dutiful, was waiting outside her doors, though she seemed to be just as tired, or even more so by the way she teetered. "Sleepy, cyclops?" 

"No, Moshi-sama," The ronin yawned. "Well... Yes, more so than usual. I haven't felt all that good, but I think it's just something I ate-"

"Yes, I don't care, actually. If I catch you sleeping like that again, I'll make sure to wake you up with a swift kick in the face." 

"Can you kick that high, Moshi-sama? Most impressive, I feared your _weight_ would make that difficult." 

"Peh. Still awake enough to talk shit, I see." Mai hiked a thumb behind her. "Dismissed, you goat-eating dunce. Get some rest. If you still feel horrid, see Fujiko in the morning. I don't need my yojimbo keeling over." 

Chiyoko bowed, and left, yawning loudly as she rounded the corner. 

"Hmph. I like that little bitch. Too bad she's a ronin." Mai chuckled to herself, and slid open the door to her chambers, stepping in with not a worry in the world. 

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Gregoria
Infiltrating the Mantis Embassy hadn't been too hard for the Scorpion. She'd learned that people tended to expect trouble from their own ilk. Doji worried about Scorpion sneaking in, Lion worried about Unicorn raids, and Mantis worried about other rapscallions. When you approached a clan from their cultural blind spot things were easier. 

She'd ghosted in over the rooftops, slinking along the tiles like a cat, laying low and crawling gently along. She'd left her swords at home. This was a social visit after all, more of a test of her own skills. And it wouldn't do to antagonize the shugenja too much. And if somehow she was caught she didn't want to commit seppuku over a perceived assassination attempt. This was for fun, not honor. Besides, what good would a sword do against a shugenja?

Everyone imagined that the art of stealth was in hopping over rooftops like a frog, moving from corner to corner of the house with all the drama of a kabuki villain. Not so. There was only one real talent anyone needed to get anywhere without being seen, and that was *Patience*. When Kaori was having fun she was very patient indeed. She enjoyed the voyeristic experience. All these people had no idea what was hovering over their heads, crawling through the shrubbery, sitting in a basket. It was her delight. 

She'd been in the shugenja's quarters now for nearly an hour. The first thing she'd done was remove and dust off the simple garments she'd worn for her trip. Not wishing to be naked and give the wrong impression she'd borrowed the reddest garment from Mai's quarters. It hung loose on her, she was far shorter than the Mantis, but she made no effort to keep it closed. Rather, she was lounging on the windowsill like a spoiled cat, not caring if any passing guards or gardeners spotted her, listening to the strange banter between shugenja and ronin. 

When Mai entered Kaori didn't say anything, just waved her fingers with a cheeky smile. 

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Larry
It took some time before Mai noticed Bayushi Kaori. Tired as she was, she had stepped in and right over to her small collection of liquor, settling on some standard sake to help ease the nerves and relax the body. She hummed to herself as she poured a tea cup's worth, and got ready to step out of her robe and relax in imbibement and meditation. 

It was then that she spotted the woman in her clothing. She didn't recognize her at first, thus she fumbled her cup, it falling with a dull thud onto the rug there. Mai quickly went into a stance, her hands bursting into flame...

"...Bayushi Kaori?" 

Mai furrowed her brow as she glared at the Scorpion, not quite relaxing. "What, did Ikoma-san decide he wanted to end our alliance? If so, you'd better... Wait..." Mai looked at the look on the girl's face, _and_ her robe! "What exactly are you doing in _my_ suite in _my_ clothes? If this is some sort of midnight call, you're not really making a case for anything but a thrashing!" 

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Gregoria
The Scorpion had tensed, ready to roll out of the window ahead of the fire kami, but burst out laughing as Mai's alarm turned to outrage. "Moshi-sama, you have nothing to fear from me this night. Nor would I be much inclined to heed the words of Ikoma-sama. Harming a shugenja of the Mantis would hardly be wise now that our clans are so nobly joined." 

She stretched lazily, still perched on the windowsill. "I came here because I reasoned that I would find you here sooner or later. And your garments are just so very comfortable. Mantis hospitality is legendary, I was certain you would not mind." 

Her black eyes flicked down to the dropped cup. "Perhaps you could pour another drink? And one for your guest as well?"

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Larry
"..." Mai didn't like being laughed at, nor did she like unexpected visitors. But, she _did_ like boldness. And this little Scorpion bitch was very, _very_ bold. 

The shugenja shook her hands as if they were wet, and the flames died out with nary a sign but a single wisp rolling about and eventually out one of the windows. "Well, you found me, Bayushi-san." Taking a second, she picked the cup up off the ground, and took down the swig that was still left in the bottom. "Get up off the window, if you're a guest," She somewhat ordered, "And I'll fetch you something. But, we'll drink something special, since this is such a special occasion." 

Sensing no danger, the shugenja turned her back on Kaori, and poured spiced wine for the both of them. It was foreign, and she knew well from what Chiyoko reported of how much Kaori despised all things Gaijin. Might as well tease her a bit. 

"So, you're not here for Ikoma-san," Mai deduced, "And you're not here to kill me in general -which you'll have to forgive me for assuming; a Scorpion at night in a secluded room usually spells disaster- so... What is this? Surely you're not here for gossip or a round of shogi." Mai placed two glasses on the table, a rare material in these parts. "Sit, and drink." Mai took a sip herself. "It's safe enough. Been drinking this since I was young lady." 

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Gregoria
Rising gracefully the little Scorpion bitch came to settle down at the table. She lifted the glass and studied it curiously. There had been some exhibited at the castle, but she'd never had a chance to handle it personally. What a strange thing. She couldn't imagine it would be very useful, being so heavy and brittle, but for novelties like cups and decorations it could be artistically pleasing. 

"In that way we are alike," She said, sipping the strange liquor. She found herself in two minds about it. She liked the spicy flavors, the strong and wide range to enjoy, but she did not like the change from her usual rice wine. "I too started enjoying refreshments at a young age. Just one cup with dinner at first. But it was part of our training too. And that I believe is something the Mantis and the Scorpion have in common." 

She looked up at her hostess from under sooty lashes. "We train for practical matters and the real world. As much as we revere the Celestial Order we know that people are not always content to remain defined." 

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Larry
Mai raised an eyebrow at the 'common' comment, but found herself in agreement, somewhat. Indeed, the Mantis were inclined to what was considered 'Low-work:' Sailing, fishing, rigging ships and working the nets; even farming, where the land could yield, though only in desperation. 

"I can respect that," She said, "As I have learned plenty of skills most Samurai wouldn't bother with. When you're off at sea, you can't let a little thing like the Order compel you not to grab a rope or the rudder. That foolishness gets everyone killed. And the higher up in the Order you are, the more __responsible__ you are for your lessers." She spoke honestly: To her, the Order was indeed everything, but unlike some Samurai that rest on their laurels, she took her protection of lessers seriously. 

"Though, that's the trouble of being of a clan not blessed by the Kami: Proving oneself is a constant, lest we fall back into the category of scoundrels and pirates." Mai sipped her wine, and pointed her glass at her guest. "You Scorpion are blessed to be descendant from the Kami, you know. No matter how tested your lot is, no matter how vile the actions you need to take, at least you know that Bayushi _chose_ that life for the benefit of the Emperor." 

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Gregoria
The Scorpion's eyes narrowed as the shugenja described her clan's deeds as 'vile' but she didn't respond. Sipping more of the wine didn't answer her question of whether she liked the stuff or not either. But perhaps the rest of the bottle needed to be sampled first. 

"My duty is to the fate my ancestors chose," She agreed. "There's no freedom to it, I act for the clan, I fight for the clan, I die for the clan. You are your own clan when you embark on your ships, and the freedom to choose your destiny with each fresh breeze is not to be taken lightly. Though as you say, the responsibility is no less because one path was chosen before birth and the other chosen every day." 

She set down the cup. "And that is what I am here to discuss today, Moshi-sama. Our responsibility to the Celestial Order, to those born to lower station. The things we must do to keep that trust and maintain order for the good of all Rokugan." 

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Larry
"And may you be blessed in your endeavors, Bayushi Kaori. Take no offense in calling vile acts as they are. In my defense, you broke into my room and put my clothes on like some sort of... I don't really know." She noticed that it wasn't even closed. How bratty and promiscuous. 

Mai paid close attention as Kaori explained her reason to be here. "So, it's not my good looks and allure that brought you here? Hmph. You could have come in the morning for such talks." The woman set her glass down and stood up straight. "So. What's this about the order? Wait- dont' tell me you and my cyclops are in a row again? If you keep antagonizing her, I can't be responsible for what she says. Even loyal hounds will bite if mistreated." 

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Gregoria
"You must admit though, I wear them *Magnificently*," The Scorpion replied, preening. "If you insist I shall of course give them back before I depart." 

She giggled at the last time she'd seen Chiyoko bristling up like a hound. *Exactly* Like an offended hound. "I do not row with those less fortunate than me, that is hardly sporting," She pointed out. "But if your faithful dog takes offense to my presence... Well, one cannot please everyone. My concern is not with your bodyguard. She is well trained, she will not maul me. No, it's rather with something else, something that I do not want anyone to hear me speak of." 

A hand flicked around the room. "Here we may speak with some degree of privacy I hope?" 

She'd been through the room. Partly to kill time, partly out of genuine curiousity or voyeuristic pleasure at rifling through Mai's pockets, partly to ascertain the amount of genuine privacy one could count on, but there wasn't a lot she could do to test the acoustics without giving away her presence. 

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Larry
"Perhaps! A little- well, _much_ too big. But, I'd be a liar if I said I didn't like what I saw." Mai really had to hold herself at bay, lest she keep letting her newly discovered feminine appreciation get the better of her. "Depending on how this talk goes, you may just keep it. If it goes very well, you may just leave in the _morning."_ 

But, to answer Kaori's question of privacy, Mai simply gazed into her glass of wine. "There is no on in the halls, nor on the windowsill or in the adjoining rooms," She announced, "Other than Chiyoko. She's folding more paper horses. So, yes, we're free to speak." 

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Gregoria
"I am not worried about your hound, she is discretion itself," Kaori watched the shugenja watch her, and shifted ever so slightly to test the other woman's resolve. "Then here is my premise before the question. This city is in turmoil. The Scorpion have lost their grip and our leadership is flailing. The clans are ready to pounce. Winter Court will be a knife fight—literally—for control. You were there for the latest scene in the public forum. You, as a shugenja, have a great deal of influence on the level of commitment your clan brings to our alliance. Your actions also—unwittingly or not—played a part in the downfall of the Scorpion government here."

She swirled the wine in the cup. "So here's my question. Do you, Moshi Mai, *Want* This alliance to work? If I take steps to secure the Scorpion can I count on your continued support? Or will I shore up a failing wall only to lose support elsewhere?" 

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Larry
Mai let out a scoff. "Oh? I like your boldness, trying to pass even a _little_ blame one for your leadership's massive blunder. It's cute, adorable, even." Mai was talking kindly enough, but her eyes were smoldering. "See, if your late governor bothered to key me in on his asinine scheme, he may just have his head on his shoulders." 

She took a drink and motioned Kaori to continue. The question was asked, and Mai chuckled. "You know, you're the first Scorpion to reach out in some time, and I mean _months,_ coming here, sneaking into my chambers and going through my things, and you ask me, 'do you want this to work?' What I _want_ is __respect.__ My clan is working on big things, while yours has done... What? Lose the city, that's what." Mai rested her chin on her hand, a smirk on her lips. "Well, the help on my Gaijin problem was nice as well. I'd requested aid before, but it wasn't until the alliance was in jeopardy that your Clan deemed it necessary to assist. A sign of a great ally: Helpful when in trouble. My son was like that when broke something. When he was _five._ 

Mai was no longer smiling. "So tell me, little girl: Am I to expect the standard fare of Scorpion aid, or will I see some actual fucking progress? Answer that, and you'll get your answer." 

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Gregoria
The Scorpion was no longer smiling either. "What deeds would you consider real progress? Must I become Speaker for my clan myself? Must I strike a decisive blow against the Unicorn, the Lion? My focus of late have been against the criminal syndicates but I would rather hunt my clan's enemies than battle a beast that grows two heads for every one I cut off." 

She tapped her fingers on the table. "I will put my house in order. Then we can start laying the groundwork for this winter court where we expose the Lion and the Unicorn interests to be founded in nothing more than base petty greed while this city groans without Scorpion leadership. We must work to show that *We* Are the ones who keep the order." 

Black eyes met the shugenja's. "How far are you willing to go to secure both your own interests and the safety of the Emerald Empire? What lines will you cross? Will you dirty your hands next to me, or will you let the Scorpion do your dirty work again? Answer me that, and I'll tell you my plan." 

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Larry
"You will, will you? Bold words. You're very bold, almost obnoxiously so. You're lucky you're skilled enough to back that mouth of yours half the time." Mai was conflicted on if she hated or adored this young brat, but all the same, someone from the Scorpion aimed to uphold their side of the alliance. 

"If you're putting my devotion to the empire into question, you can leave out the window with two broken arms and a charred body." Mai didn't speak in her usual, bullying way. She was cold and serious. "Trust me, I have killed and _will_ kill to maintain the Clan's proper place. I've made friends with criminals and enemies of Samurai. I'll do what needs to be done. Don't take my olive branch of cooperation to be some sort of sign of weakness or cowardice." 

Mai fell silent for a moment, and drank her wine swiftly. "Now, quit stalling. Tell me your plan." 

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Gregoria
"When you're good you're good," Kaori said without the slightest hint of modesty. "And I have been blessed with many skills, few of which can be appreciated fully by my peers. My plan. Yes, my plan. Lend me your ear now, shugenja. Strategy is not within my skills, yet I think I have the inkling of a plan." 

She grinned. "You are of course familiar with the curse of gaijin pepper, are you not? One of my clan's spiritual duties is to keep it from polluting our shores. The kami will not bless our empire if that evil stuff is being used here. Now do not worry! I do not intend to use it myself either! I would never betray my clan's duty. But it is here in the city, wherever there are smugglers there is the pepper. You are gifted with the kami's sight, you can find it if you make an effort. Of course we must dispose of it, but why not turn it to our service first? 

"Suppose that the foolish words in the street stirs up the population to some desperate deed? That their defiance of the Celestial Order inspires them to strike against our rule? They must have it, and in great quantity, so they contact the Unicorn who are known to defy Rokugani law in these matters time and again. Destabilizing this city would work well in the Unicorn's favor, in their efforts to discredit my clan's rightful claim, so they provide the pepper. The kolat move to strike against the clans, perhaps during Winter Court. The brave efforts of the Mantis discover this wicked plot in time to prevent a catastrophe. The Unicorn are shamed before winter court begins. Your clan is honored. A kolat sect is burned out of this city. A stockpile of gaijin pepper is safely disposed of without offense to the kami. Everyone wins." 

She grinned. "These are broad strokes I paint, but you get the idea." 

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Larry
Mai took in Kaori's plan, listening closely to scheme. Find gaijin pepper, foul stuff it is, and then make it seem as if the Unicorn supplied, stored, or otherwise allowed the pepper to reach kolat -whether they were there or not- to utterly embarrass the Unicorn. It was an interesting idea, though it reminded her more of the late governor's way of doing things. However...

"So, there are many moving parts there, Bayushi-san. I can use the sight to find it, though that will take some time. Making it seem as if the Unicorn are to blame would be trickier; most of the pepper comes from overseas. Mantis come across it far more often than the land-dwelling Unicorn do. But, that could play to the sloppiness of its delivery, hm?" 

The shugenja poured herself another glass of wine, and topped of Kaori's. "Though, one might argue that simply stopping kolat and ridding that Empress-murdering powder would be enough of a win to cement the Scorpion as the true enforcers of the law, and the protectors of this city. These Unicorn, they are not unlike my own Clan: desperately trying to maintain that they deserve to be at the table, and they've been at it for centuries. I don't think the Unicorn would suffer another accusation well, if the scheme falls apart. 

"Just food for thought from a woman that's been at it longer, that's all." Mai took a considerable drink of wine, and sighed. "Well, I think I've had enough wine not to be cross at you anymore, Bayushi-san. I'll try to find this gaijin pepper for you, and we'll speak about it again. Consider that a gift for your aid with Edward." Glancing at the brat still in her own open robes, a chancer of an idea came to mind. 

"I intend to get some rest, but the little brat still has my clothes on. Perhaps we can see how long it takes to get it off you?" 

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Gregoria
"The advice is well received," Kaori said, sipping at her wine again and feeling the spices warm her. This stuff was an acquired taste, but she did not find it to be unpleasant now. "And I shall certainly take it to heart. I have consulted with no one in my own clan about this as of yet, it is not my way to present problems to my leadership. I come to them with solutions, they need only provide the resources." 

Her scarred cheek tightened as her smirk broadened, her black eyes watching the shugenja's gaze wander. "You are welcome to try to remove them if you want, Moshi-sama," She teased. "But they are so very comfy! Perhaps the tongue of the Mantis is more eloquent after wine has loosened it. You are welcome to make the argument." 

She shifted, a sensuous taunt that hinted the Scorpion was just as great a brat as the Mantis assumed. 

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Larry
With business and advice given, it would look that things would shift to pleasure and desire. "Oh, I know they're comfy. They're mine." The shugenja stood, and circled the table, looming over the cocky little Scorpion. "You offering challenges, now? You really are a cheeky one. I really, _really_ like that. Only thing is..."

Mai grabbed hold of the robe in one fist, and lifted it and Kaori as one. "I don't _argue._ I *Take what I want*. Call it the pirate in me." She would take the Scorpion to her bed, and what would happen there was not for but the Kami to see and tell. 

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Gregoria
Sometime later the Scorpion rose. She dressed herself in the same green robe, borrowing an obi to match, bundling up her dusty garments. She was in a very good mood. 

A challenge had been thrown out during the session. Mai probably didn't realize the door she'd opened for the Scorpion, but the invitation to test Chiyoko more thoroughly could not be ignored. The daughter of Bayushi loved humbling arrogant ronin and she found herself looking forward to a good night. She raided Mai's cosmetics for a stick of ochre before tying the bundle to her waist and slipping out the door. 

They had not been subtle. Kaori was shameless when expressing appreciation. The guards would know that their shugenja had a guest. As long as she did not carry half the estate out on her back or deviate from the route to the front door the guards would not bother her.

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Larry
The many guards that patrolled the embassy watched as the woman left Moshi-sama's chambers. She would not be halted, or bothered, for that matter. Some even made sure to bow, assuming she was someone of import. The servants (some of them of Mai's pirating crew) gave her a wide berth, and politely shut the doors once the Scorpion was gone. 

Moshi Mai herself emerged from her chambers some time later, looking rather worn out, but with the afterglow of someone that was more than satisfied. "That was interesting," She yawned, "Though I can't say I'd say it was better than the _other_ way of pleasure." 

"Moshi-sama." Junko bowed to the woman in her barely-closed robe. "The Scorpion woman has left." Mai gave a nod, and asked for some tea. Junko bowed, but stuck around. "Moshi-sama... Can I speak freely?"

"Sure, I'm in a great mood. Go ahead." 

"Well, Mama Mai, do you think it's wise to let that woman just sneak in here without any consequence? She might get cocky and think she can do as she pleases." 

"Oh, Junko. It's hardly anything to worry about." Mai pulled her snuff box from her robe, and started to pack her pipe. "It's better she think she can, so if she comes around to do something silly, she'll show up with false confidence. Besides, when I viewed her in the reflections, she was just putting on my clothes and was unarmed. Nothing to worry about." She lit her pipe, and took a long drag. "Let the brat think she's Empress for now. At the very least, I'll have someone to play with." 

Mai sent Junko off, and went back to her chambers. "Oh! Right, Chiyoko should know that... Um... Hm. Blast, I've forgotten what that was..."

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