Diane
As the Hour of the Hare started with the new dawn, the city stretching its limbs and waking up, Matsu Sawako was there to greet the gates to the Lion Embassy. She was dressed formally for the occasion. A colourful kimono in a style most reserved for married women. Modest with short sleeves and a wide supportive obi, her daisho secured by golden cords bound by three distinct bird-shaped netsuke. 

Though she was as fresh to the city as the new day was, the proud samurai wasted little time in her new assignment, giving orders to her small retinue and Embassy servants alike as if she'd always been here. 

"You there. Please, send word to the ambassador at her earliest convenience, that Matsu Sawako has finally arrived, and will wait as long as necessary in the gardens to make her acquaintance." A firm, respectful order followed by a long exhale under her breath. In truth, there was a nervous eagerness to put the journey through Scorpion lands behind her, to acclimate as quickly as possible. Though a small journey by Rokugan standards, crossing the mountains and trading one city for another, felt like entering a new world. 

There were provisions to unpack, spring herbs and produce dried and barreled in rice bran. A few sacks of wheat, salted plums... All flavours nostalgic to Lion palates to refresh the kitchens and give those stationed here a brief taste of home. Some letters and missives from home to be sorted and given out to grateful ashigaru and samurai. At her own expense, Matsu Sawako brought along a few containers of choji oil. Sure that after the long winter and the return of rain and humidity, the blades of her compatriots were in dire need of the maintenance oil. A taste of home for them, too.

"So... This is Ryoko Owari Toshi." Matsu Sawako spoke softly to herself, overseeing the unpacking process to the end. She twirled the fingers of her left hand, as if she were spinning the weight of an imaginary hammer. "I can't tell if it's the city itself that feels so tense, or if it's just me."
George
*"Both."* The ambassador had interrupted. It was only a matter of time, not much time, before the Kitsu appeared from her office right at their assigned meeting place. Her voice was strangely fitting for her attire. After all the young Kitsu ambassador, only the age of 19, was a solid 5'0. Her eyes were a bad omen as one was blue and the other was gold. Her hair was the strangest color of all, golden blonde. The deep scars on her face were the most noticeable in her strange attire yet. Kitsu Himiko had entered the garden just like that. She would bow down towards the Matsu. *"Matsu-san. It is good to have you here. Would you like some tea and food? The journey must've tired you out."* The young one spoke as servants came running out of the building. 

The garden had been properly designed to drink tea thanks to the hard work of Akodo Katsuhiro. He even designed Himiko a small spot on her own, one she often used, so this time once more. She would take a seat and gestured the Matsu to do so as well. 

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Diane
The young voice was surprising, coming so soon after the servant was sent along with the message of arrival. Matsu Sawako stood up straight and smoothed the front of her kimono out, taking a moment to let the wave of embarrassment at her spoken thoughts heard and commented on pass through her. She turned to face the Kitsu ambassador, bowing deep. 

 "You grace me with your presence so early, Kitsu Himiko-dono."

 Perhaps more surprising, however, was the appearance of the young ambassador. Sawako had heard descriptions, of course. Enough to recognize who she was to report to, hearing those mild stories that always seemed to follow any name of some import. An important position always attracts attention, both good and bad, so the Matsu hadn't taken the words completely on faith. After all, what Lion didn't have a scar or two? Who didn't have an edge in their eyes after seeing battle? Best to see them yourself, and judge on their prowess.

But Kitsu Himiko, despite her shorter height, had a presence Matsu Sawako hadn't counted on... Was it the bloodline peeking through? A thousand questions, but they could come in the future. 

 "Forgive me for not having all this sorted out before our first meeting." Sawako gestured with pointed wave of her hand at the unloading. "I had hoped to spare you the trouble of things so insignificant. But, I would enjoy taking you up on your offer! To make it by daylight, I marched the caravan with lantern and the light of the city as a guide... So tea and a taste of warm food would be a blessing." 
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George
*"There is no need to apologize."* Himiko stated as the blue and golden eye traced the servants serving a lot of food and tea. *"It is good to have you here. That would be the significant part."* She would smile at the Matsu. She had been seated as a grand dog, perhaps even taller than the Kitsu stood, settled down next to Himiko. The dog would curiously stare at the Matsu, back at the Kitsu and back at the Matsu. 

*"I am glad your journey went well however. Please, eat."* Himiko gestured to the food before bowing to the servants and thanking them for their work. She had eyed the dog so it wouldn't take the invitation of eating too literally. After all it was a curious yet mischievous being sometimes. She would place her tiny hand on it's grand head. *"After all a spontanious visit like this is always a reason to have a cup of tea over. But then again, I did expect you, just not so soon."* The Kitsu had chuckled as she took a pair of chopsticks, poored the tea and started to eat away at some of the food. 

*"How do you like the city Matsu-san? Have you seen much of it already? If not, I could ask one of your clansmates to give you a tour. They'd be delighted to meet a Matsu to be fair."* She stated. 

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Diane
You can always tell a soldier by the speed at which they eat. Sawako clapped her hands once in a silent prayer for the meal as the servants laid it out for the two samurai. Too used to needing to get back to marching and other duties, scant time set aside for meals. Even as she tried to be cordial and polite towards her host, engaging the young Kitsu in conversation, Matsu Sawako ate quickly. The morning meal and hot tea were a welcome relief too good to pass up on. 

"I can't say I've ever seen a yojimbo so fierce." She offered a joke, gesturing with her tea cup at the giant dog that came to join them and take a seat at Himiko's side. The Matsu almost smiled, seeing the affection as Himiko placed her hand on the dog's head. "Owned by you, I assume? The two of you must have grown up together, judging by the sheer size of the beast."

Setting her chopsticks and tea cup down, Matsu Sawako stretched out her back and called for her attendant, telling him to fetch 'the thing' from their supplies before turning back toward the table. "I haven't seen enough of the city to give a fair assessment... I had hoped to play the tourist today, and begin work at the forge tomorrow. A guide would be wonderful, if you can spare someone to humour me."

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George
*"You should see my actual Yojimbo."* Himiko had chuckled at the Matsu before nodding her head. *"Your judgement is swift and fair Matsu-san. Ilu-san has been with me ever since I can remember."* She would take another bite. Himiko would smile at seeing the Matsu enjoy the food at least a little bit. 

*"Well, I could ask Miu-san to guide you around. She's my Yojimbo. Otherwise I could ask one of the others to guide you around."* Himiko would nod her head and set down her food and drink some tea. 

*"As for the forge. I wish to build a big one for you here. Your ambitions should be ours as well."* 

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Diane
"Miu-san, Ilu-san." Sawako repeated the names out loud, mentally adding to the notes on all the new places, people, and the occasional adorably huge pet that she'd be getting to know. Though seated, the Matsu bowed her head forward at the kind offer and ambitious proclamation. "Offering your yojimbo is very kind, Ambassador. I'm not so picky to make demands. Whoever is available and free to humour a sightseer!"

The Matsu samurai's assistant carefully interrupted, bringing with him what he was asked to fetch from Sawako's personal belongings. At first glance, it looked like a plain, wakizashi, though oddly out of proportion. The iron blade was blunt and dull, unable to hold an edge. The fixtures small and designed for tiny, clumsy hands. 

"A Matsu begins training at five or six... Young, by most standards." Sawako held the small katana as an offering, her words careful and rehearsed. "To get used to the weight, the feel of a sword, practice drawing the sword, how to care for it... I've made many of these for my own children and their cousins among the Lions. I've come to see them as symbols of new beginnings and aspirations, Himiko-dono, and I hope this comes to represent ours."

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