Brian
Soshi Miyoko made a visit to the Lion embassy, in early afternoon. Her hair was down, cascading down her body to her mid-back, and gently swaying with the coming and going of the wind. The main color of her Kimono was red, with flower designs sprinkled across the garment, painting brilliant pinks, violets and blues. The edges were trimmed with black. She waited for a reply after informing a servant of her request for an audience, standing mostly still, and admiring the garden.
David
In the back of the embassy garden had stood a shrine maiden, brushing the floors with a broom. Making sure they were sparkly clean and not even a sprinkle of dirt remained on the stones. She was about the size of well, a child. Only standing a solid 5 feet tall she could've been easily overlooked if it was not for the giant dog standing beside her. It had alerted the shrine maiden by first nudging the maiden. Which almost made her lose her balance. The moment it got her attention it aimed at the Scorpion in the garden. 

As a result the shrine maiden had tilted her head. Approaching the Scorpion before announcing herself by questioning. *"Is there anything I could help you with scorpion-sama?"* The voice was warm and nice and seemed to have no ill intend. The dog behind her had been approaching as well. Sitting down next to the woman as it never took its eye off the scorpion. 

*"Could I offer you some tea?"* The Kitsu asked. Her hair was golden and loose like manes. Almost touching the ground the length they owed. On her skin there were numerous scars, which seemed from battle. Her eyes had been discolored and therefore had not made direct contact with the Scorpion but looked just past her. Her face bore a polite smile as she awaited the reply. 

||
Brian
The movement and sound quickly shifted Miyoko's attention and she offered a slight smile, only a few inches taller than the Kitsu, at five foot four inches herself. 
She gave a respectful bow to the shrinekeeper, "Yes, I was hoping to introduce myself to some of the lion clansmen. That's quite the companion you have there, they seem very attentive."
 The Soshi tries cooing at the dog to lighten it's disposition towards her, careful not to make any sudden moves, "Who do I have the pleasure of addressing? I am called Soshi Miyoko." Her demeanor was friendly and unassuming, as she cast a radiant smile. Her eyes stayed attentive and sharp, the biggest sign slipping through that she wasn't entirely at ease. "Your companion looks healthy, they're quite large. Do you mind if I ask how old they are?"

"Oh no I couldn't possibly impose upon you, though I'm sure your tea is as lovely as the garden you've kept so pristine." Miyoko weaved a compliment in with her refusal. Her eyes studying the Kitsu, taking note of her features, the Soshi took a moment to stop and disarm herself, setting her wakizashi beside herself on the right side, with the hilt towards herself, she kept only her fan secured at her side.
David
Himiko had looked at the interaction between Miyoko and Ilu. As Ilu was awaiting her master's bidding she simply remained on guard. In result Himiko had nodded to the animal as it took a more relaxed position. Even carefully approaching the woman. Wagging her tail ever so slightly.

Then Himiko had bowed down. Together with Ilu as it once more followed its master's wish. Then she approached again. *"It is an honor to meet you Soshi-sama. This is Ilu, she's around 6 years old now I reckon. "* The kitsu rose again as she stared at the wakizashi for a moment. *"My name is Kitsu Himiko."* The girl smiled. *"So if you wish to talk to the people of the clan. It seems that I am currently the only one here. Sorry to disappoint you."* The Kitsu spoke. Looking at the broom still in her hand as she seemed to brush away a leaf, short attention span. 

*"Thank you for the compliments of the garden. It is mostly Akodo-sama's work however."* Once more the Kitsu had not made eye contact.
Brian
Miyoko interjected adopting an obviously coy tone, "Perhaps you are the only one here, but why would that be disappointing? Are you not a Lion, Kitsu-San? Perhaps if I am good company, I might be graced with the appearance of others later." She offered a lighter smile, amused by Himiko's demeanor.

Adopting back her friendly, disarming tone, the Soshi continued, "I recently returned to Ryoko Owari Toshi, and so need to make proper introductions. Please pass my compliments on to Akodo-san then when you see them? I'd love to make their acquaintance if they're the main gardener here. May I let Ilu get a better smell of me and pet her a little? I find most animals are a lot friendlier if you let them get a sense for you like that. Did you raise Ilu yourself?" 

The wind brushed across the area, scattering a few new leaves back onto the path, as it fluttered and weaved around the two women and the hound. The Soshi took a momentary pause to try and open the door for the Kitsu to ask her a question of her own.
David
*"Because I have no interesting stories to share. Therefore a conversation with Akodo-sama would be much more interesting. As for my lion heritage I have no doubt."* Himiko spoke whilst giving Ilu the space to investigate this scorpion. Himiko wanted to sigh but refused to give in. Therefore she simply waved at the dog to approach. 

*"Ilu seems interested enough. Go ahead."* With this the giant dog had approached with caution. Sniffing around as she could and wagging her tail a bit. *"Ilu was a gift from the Kitsu family. Although I have not raised her fully, I have had her since she was only three months old."* Himiko shared. *"Although I must say Ilu has her own will every now and then."* The smaller Kitsu spoke. 

*"Is Ryoko Owari Toshi your hometown?'* Himiko questioned. Her tone had never shifted from sounding friendly and polite. 

||
James
A few screens could be heard sliding out and clacking closed in the embassy itself as Kozue went to investigate the voices in the courtyard which had sounded overly formal for the time of the day. The Matsu could sense politicking from a mile away and did not mind looming in it's presence, which either tended to make things less formal or ended the event itself outright. 

Kozue had always cherished her gift for staring at people until they left or felt silly for being so puppet-like. She believed that the Lion courtiers had started with this skill at the dawn of the empire and had simply gotten worse at it over time. Why they traded it in for Crane's rules of court she would never understand. Such games involved far too much ho-humming and preening. 

She appeared in the gardens in a practical kimono, tans, whites, and yellows. She'd been bathing not that long again and she'd oiled her hair and let it down. Her hair was on the shorter side compared to both of the other women present. It a messy wolf cut that honestly needed a trim, her bangs had gotten especially wild. She did not say anything on her approach. Only moved in to look at the small Scorpion-ko. She made silent bow, as not to be rude, even if she had come here to gawk. Other than that she remained silent for a moment and took in the conversation about Ilu. 

||
David
Himiko had noticed the Matsu stand beside her. After all she stood tall and strong. Yet she was deadly silent. Himiko had bowed down at the Matsu. No word was spoken. Then she turned back at the Scorpion. 

||
Brian
"You're telling me such interesting stories already though, Kitsu-San, how can you say you've nothing to share? I do look forward to meeting this Akodo-San you speak highly of however." Said the scorpion, kneeling down once Himiko had affirmed it was alright. A bit more on eye level with Ilu, the Soshi began brushing her fingers through the messy mane the dog had, careful not to accidentally pull any tangle or matts that she might feel.

"Oh is that true, Ilu-San? Are you not always the most in tune with Kitsu-San?" Miyoko offered a bright smile, speaking to Ilu, but eyes attentive to Himiko, and the new face stalking up to the conversation. The Soshi matched the other girls exchanging a bow of her own, "Another Lion-San? I hope your day fares well, I am Soshi Miyoko." Miyoko took in the newly arrived figure as she responded to Himiko, "Yes I was born here in Ryoko Owari Toshi, but as I said, I've only just returned here. It's been a long time, as I was only a child when I was last here."

Miyoko kept both lions in her view, but shifted her attention to Kozue, as she explained, "I came to give proper introductions and get to know some of the city's lion clansmen. Would you be willing to introduce yourself, Lion-San?" Miyoko offered a disarming smile as she inquired. "Also, Kitsu-San, may I ask what sort of gift to you that Ilu was?" The scorpion's eyes were flitting between the two Lions attentive to who she spoke to or whomever was speaking.

||
James
Kozue watched the small girl play with the hound. There was a gentleness and a poise to her that Kozue knew immediately could be trouble. The way she smiled while she pet the dog seemed genuine and open. If such a display with true, it meant she was probably a sweet girl despite the shadow play of Scorpion *Grace.* If her display of joy were an act, then she was truly a gifted weapon, a blade being slipped in exactly where it ought to go. 

Moderation had taught Kozue that all truths rested in the middle of things for the plurality of situations. Temperance was to be heeded everywhere but the battlefield and bedchamber. So she decided that this Soshi Miyoko was a sweet girl who was being wielded by a crafty lord, and that any sort of affections or familiarity Kozue might have with the girl would become bittersweet eventually. Poison mixed in with honey, truly the way of the Scorpion indeed.

She softened her natural scowl a bit, "Matsu Kozue," She said simply, taking a few steps forward, stepping into the Scorpion's space to also silently kneel down and pet Ilu. She took care to not actually touch Miyoko though, as such a thing was improper in public. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Soshi-san," She said in an uncharacteristically gentle tone as she watched their hands nearly touch a few times. 

||
David
Himiko had turned to the scorpion and smiled as her direct question made her tilt her head a bit. Then the eyes glaced over to the dog who was obviously getting way too much attention for her to be good. As the once mighty beast had now surrendered by laying on her back, enjoying all the patting she was granted. This made Himiko smirk. *"Ilu was a gift. Uh- Well more like a companion. When my biological parents, whom were also Kitsu, had died due to an unfortunate accident, the head Kitsu back in the day gave me it for company and friendship."* Himiko then rubbed the back of her head. *"I did not have that many Kitsu friends because I had a grumpy mood often."* The small lion spoke. 

She however had not yet let her guard down. She was aware that even though Akodo was not here to watch her like an eagle, she knew that if something would happen the matsu would charge in without a second consideration. 

||
Kelly
Akodo Katsuhiro rounded the corner in a casual outfit, his sleeves tied up and his hands dirty from his gardening. The plain brown kimono reminicent of the soil found in lion lands, though mismatched with the earth found on this side of the island and by the river. He walked out from behind one of the buildings where had had been ~~playing~~ working on his gardening project. The weather on this side of the mountains had been slowing him down, but he was making valiant progress none-the-less.

"Oh? Do we have a guest?" Akodo walked over, brushing his hands against one another to stand beside Himiko, watching the two ladies pet the rather spoiled dog. He gave a slight bow, showing he viewed himself as of higher station than Soshi, but was warm in his greeting.

"I am -" He glanced, realizing Himiko was in her priestess clothing, and Matsu was rubbing a dog belly. Perhaps it wasn't quite the place for full formality, "Akodo Katsuhiro." He left off anything that would otherwise show his rank, though at his side he carried a plain black wakazashi. He did not garden with his katana, but a Lion was to be armed at all times. And if that was the word of his family's kami, then he would obey.
Brian
"I am honored to make your acquaintance, Matsu-San." Miyoko said, mindful of her own hands as she pet Ilu. Attentive to Himiko's explanation and story, the Soshi said, "Well, you seem extremely pleasant to me, I'm sure you must have many more Kitsu friends these days."

"If it's not too forward of me, I'd be overjoyed to make plans with you two in the future." Miyoko looked up as Akodo made his appearance, quickly rising to her feet, and returning his bow with a more polite full bow, offering him the same respect she had the other Lions, "I am Soshi Miyoko, it's a pleasure to meet you, Akodo-San. Kitsu-San spoke earlier of your talents in cultivating this lovely garden. I really admire it, perhaps I might be able to learn from your talents at a later date? I came to offer introductions, I recently returned here to Ryoko Owari Toshi." 

"I am grateful for the gracious greetings I've received here, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect upon my arrival at first." 
She glanced between three lions, offering a deeper bow as she thanked them for their great show of hospitality. "Might I be welcome to visit again in the future? Not that I'm in any hurry to depart now, but it seems appropriate to ask, though perhaps that's a better question for whomever is the Lion Ambassador to answer? I hope you would speak highly of me to them, and I look forward to meeting them if they're nearly as lovely as you've all been to me." She offered a radiant smile.
Kelly
*So that is your game, eh?* It would be odd on the best of days for a Scorpion to come by and just introduce themselves, but for someone who 'just returned home' to stop by the embassy of a clan they had just framed in the prospects of starting a war, there *Had* To be an ulterior motive. However, as is their way, she couldn't just come out and *Say* What she was doing here. So he gave just a heartbeat to see if it looked like Himiko wanted to respond, and when she did not he took the initiative.

"I thank you for you for your kind words, Soshi-san. It is still a work in progress, but it is a nice break from all the fighting. I feel confident speaking for Ambassador-dono that you are welcome to come and visit again. I hope to make the gardens here a bit of an oasis in the city, since the Lion embassy is perhaps now the safest place in the city aside from the Imperial residence."

His face was warm, it would certainly be nice to have someone whom they could speak to the Scorpion clan through, but they also had tea later with the Ambassador himself, so he was not sure what this would lead to.
David
Himiko had only nodded to the compliments of friends. If only the Scorpion knew. A life of solitude at first, even now it had been that way. But she would not speak of such information into the outside world. So instead she granted the Scorpion a courtly smile. Then the request of another meeting came up before Akodo had joined. *"I'll make sure the next time you visit our tea will still be steaming hot for you."* Himiko had accepted the invite. Bowing down to the Scorpion in return. 

*"I am almost certain the Lion ambassador will be delighted to meet you. After all it has been a while since I had a friendly conversation."* With somebody of the Scorpion that is. And for how long would it remain friendly. Those thoughts ran through her head yet she had not shown a bit of hesitation in her politeness. 

*"I apologize you've only made it into our garden. I am quite missing my hospitality today. But please come by again."* Himiko added to Akodo. 

||
James
"Forward is something the Matsu can handle Soshi-san, you're welcome to join me for tea sometime," She responded as they pet Ilu together, before Akodo Katsuhiro rounded the corner. She gave Himiko a look that seemed like she was about to ask a question right before Katsuhiro did show up. She quieted herself again for her betters to speak.

However When Katsuhiro mentioned the Lion Embassy being among the safest places in the city Kozue could not help but give Miyoko a cocksure smirk that seemed to suggest *Yes it's safe, because I'm here.* Once Himiko had said her peace she realized that she ought to walk out with the ambassador. It would do well to play bodyguard. She rose and gave the Scorpion a silent bow, and then flanked Himiko on the other side of Katsuhiro, slightly to the back.
Brian
Miyoko returned the bows of the other girls, smiling brightly at their, before turning to face Katsuhiro. "I will look forward to tea together next time, perhaps I will bring some of my own to share in turn, so that I am not imposing?" Her eyes shifted to the remaining lion. "An oasis does sound lovely, especially when dark clouds gather. Though the weather is absolutely lovely today, don't you think?"

"Oh dear, have I overstayed my welcome, Akodo-San? Or would you be willing to walk me through the gardens? I really would love to see and hear about the work you've done here, it's breathtaking. I don't have the talent for arranging gardens like this, but I do know a bit about plants." She smiled, standing still and meeting his eyes directly. "I hope it would be relaxing for you too, here in the freshest air of your oasis?" Then waited for his reply.
Kelly
Akodo gave the Lion ladies a slight bow as they departed Ilu traipsing along behind Himiko back towards the compound. A slight smile on his face as he watched them walk off, "We are fortunate to have two very talented Shugenja here, though" He stood along side Miyoko as he began to walk her towards his construction project, "The Nikutai Matsu is one of my favorite up and coming bushi. There is something about her, and internal balance of Yin and Yang that makes her an exceptional Samurai." As they moved into the gardens, Miyoko could only barely see the beginnings of what the final plan would be. Next to the main embassy building he was digging out soil and then piling it up elsewhere.

"I was very fortunate to befriend one of the Dragon clan Shugenja who helped me recieving the blessings of the Kami for this project. I plan to put in a pond there for reflections as part of the study garden. Those are what I specialize in, but Ambassador-dono has given me leave to use up as much of the ground as I would like, so I am expanding my skill sets. It has been a long time since I have stayed in one place and been able to work on a garden."

As they walked around the grounds, Akodo pointed out and described his intentions for the grounds and how he wanted to decorate them, running into tangents about his struggles locating anything the Unicorn Bazaar and wandering the city looking for craftsmen. The path that he took them on around the perimeter also had them cross paths with quite a few guards, who would bow to them in passing and address him as 'Taisha' to which Akodo would give them a nod of respect. It would eventually stand out that there were *A lot* Of Lion bushi in the embassy. Not a few more than what would normally be expected, but perhaps double the number of Ashigaru alone.

"I do appreciate the lovely weather" He said, bringing the coverstion back around, "Though I have found in my experience that if you do not like the weather in Rokugan, you need only wait a few days and it will change. It seems the winds are always changing. What is nice one day, can become a taifun the next. I intend for the garden I build here to weather even a taifun. The weather can be stubborn, but I life has taught me to be even more so." He spared her a stray smile at his comment, and there was something about him that made these words strike as true. Akodo was perhaps only average for a man in height, but he was exceptionally broad of shoulder, and his arms and legs were thick with the muscles of a samurai who worked constantly. He appeared, more than anything, like weathered old tree that was firmly rooted to the earth, almost immovable. Solid.

"How are you liking the city now that you have returned to it after many years away? I have found that things always seem to change faster than I would think."
Brian
"It's pleasant to hear you speak so highly of your clanmates, Akodo-San." Miyoko offered, as they walked the garden path. "A Dragon Shugenja helped you receive the blessings of the Kami? How wonderful, I think the pond would be beautiful, and a perfect place for reflection indeed, under cover of night it'd be a calming spot for introspection, though I don't think that's what you'd meant, Akodo-San." She said smiling and seemingly opening up with some of her inner thoughts. "I am excited to see how it translates from your plan to the landscape here. Would you share the story you want it to tell when walking the garden path? I'm afraid I don't have the skills to understand that on my own." She offered a bow of humility, to apologize for her lack of understanding as she asked Akodo-San to enlighten her. 

"Really you have had struggles yourself with finding the proper resources? What kind of things are you trying to acquire precisely?" Miyoko averted his eyes for a moment, "Maybe a Mantis-San could help you find what you're looking for? Would you be-" She froze abruptly mid-sentence when she heard him addressed as Taisa. Miyoko stopped to give a deep bow, "Akodo-Sama! I had meant you no disrespect, I hope you'll forgive my lacking manners up to this point. I should've known from your slight bow earlier when greeting me. Will you please overlook my mistake?" She shifted a bit, waiting for his response to her emphatic apology. She did not kneel and prostrate herself however, only offering a deep standing bow.

"Even when the weather is pleasant, I carry an umbrella for when things may suddenly turn rather than rage against the rain. Flowers are beautiful in it's wake. I am sure your garden will weather any typhoon, Akodo-Sama, because it has you behind it. The city changes, but business continues as usual, just now I am responsible rather than simply watching from the sidelines as I had before. Someday scandal will find us all."
Kelly
Akodo did find this little dance they were doing enjoyable. The reaction to his title had not been the one he had expected, but he realized she was playing it safe due to the Lion clan's reputation. When she bowed deeply to him and apologized, he made a dismissive gesture to clear the air.

"You owe no one an appology, Soshi-san. I am new to the city, and unless the Scorpion clan had already researched who I was, you had no way of knowing. Today, I am merely a humble gardener. When I am a Taisa, you will know I am a Taisa." He favored her with a small, friendly smile, and then began to continue their walk.

"I am not quite yet such a master as to have a tale to tell, but I hope that the path through the gardens feels like home. So along the entry, I wanted something to separate the chi of the entrance from the peace of the garden, so I piled mounts high. It was then, I decided this could be the Spine of the World Mountains. It doesn't quite work out geographically, because of the space and the buildings, but it gave me inspration. So just here are the Matsu provinces with the low planes running up to the mountains, and while Lion lands are flat and I did not want my garden to be, it shifrts into the Akodo lands over there. We have a famous brick city, and a red brown wheat that grows there, so I am honoring the colors and our great forest over there. Then the rivers and the castles of the Ikoma provinces over there where I will have a fountain and the stone lanterns to be castles."

Akodo sighs wistfully as the tour wraps around and takes them back to the front. It may take a sharp mind to realize he had left out the Kitsu, but it would take an even sharper one to realize that as he had laid out the gardens, that would make where the embassy stood the Kitsu lands.

"It is a long work ahead of me, but I hope it will feel like home to the Lion who spend their lives here."
Brian
After the gentle acceptance of her apology, she brought up her fan, taking a bit of time and hiding her expression. She was perfectly attentive to the history lesson on lion lands, "I see, so it's maybe to be a tale of history, pride and family? I don't think any would dare to fault you for things not necessarily matching up one-to-one, Akodo-Sama, you are surely overcritical of your work. If you'll pardon my ignorance, where does that place the Kitsu lands? I need to study up a bit better on geography, but it was very interesting listening to you speak about it so thoroughly. Is it a passion of yours or are you well traveled and recall fondly the lands you've roamed? I've spent much of my life moving between different scorpion lands, so I think I would relate in that second way, Akodo-Sama." 

She dropped her fan at this point, offering a bright smile and meeting his gaze again, "Thank you for the tour. I'm sure that your companions will feel as if beloved and acknowledged family here with the fruition of your vision. I will not keep you for any longer, thank you again for your time today, Akodo-Sama, I hope we might meet again soon?"
Kelly
"We are fortunate to have several Kitsu shugenja working with us at our embassy, including our Ambassador, so it felt fitting that the embassy itself was the Kitsu lands in my grand geography." Akodo had been pleased the positioning simply worked out that way, and it felt appropriate given Himiko's role.

Akodo gave her a slight bow as they made their goodbyes, perhaps even bowing just slightly more than he did upon their introduction. They had both played games in this visit, but he appreciated getting to indulge in his art, even if it was part of such a game. She played it well.

"I have enjoyed our walk, Soshi-san. Perhaps next time we can walk in the Scorpion gardens."
Brian
"Oh that's a clever idea, I see. So they probably feel most at home and at ease." Miyoko nodded, and returned his bow, offering a deeper respectful bow. "It has been a nice walk, you are more than welcome to seek me out in the scorpion gardens, though I can't promise my clanmates would give such a warm welcome, I would be happy to greet you there." She looked distantly for a moment, went to say something and stopped herself.

Instead of speaking any further, she gave another smile and bow, before departing the lion embassy.

||End scene!