Barbara
Yasuki Umeo's desk was made of stained and polished black walnut, the panels masterfully aligned along the woodgrain. There were neither embellishments nor engravings, but the quality was unmistakable. The merchant's desktop was a grid of precise stacks of documents and scrolls sorted by purpose, priority, shape, and size. Rough maps, as many nautical as terrestrial, adorned the office's walls. Their spidery ink lines traced the currents of trade that flowed under his watch. 

Umeo leaned over the hardwood desk, fingers tracing the edges of documents to ensure perfect alignments. His eyes occasionally paused on a specific stack, and he would reach out to inspect a document long enough to jot down a few notes. The crisp shuffle under Umeo's fingers and the scratching of his stylus were all that could be heard. 

A nearby low table held a tea set, two empty cups sitting in wait. Soon enough, he would have a visitor.
Thomas
*Ariko would have spent the time before her meeting with Yasuki Umeo preparing to make a proper first impression. Ensuring her hair was done up properly, no errant strands of hair out of place, her perfume applied in a moderate amount to be present but not overpowering. Dressed in a fine robe of Crab blues, the trim of her long sleeves a darker blue, with carp embroidered on her sleeves and robes as if they were swimming in a pond. The Crab mon over her heart as always. Nodding to herself, she would pick up a small book and make her way to Umeo's office.*

*A servant would arrive, announcing her arrival to Umeo. While expected, it would be impolite to intrude on the man without his approval. The small courtier was a little nervous, hoping she had spent her time before this sufficiently to get as familiar with the city as she could before being given her duty here.*
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Barbara
Yasuki Umeo glanced up as the servant entered. The Crab samurai's expression was one of calm authority, "Please, show Yasuki Ariko-san in." Umeo took a moment to stand and straighten his deep indigo kimono as the servant bowed and retreated to fetch Ariko. The door slid open, and Yasuki Ariko entered. Umeo observed her as she approached, noting her careful attention to appearance and etiquette. Her nervousness was palpable, yet she carried herself with a poise that spoke of her training and upbringing.

"Yasuki Ariko-san, welcome," Umeo greeted her with a small bow before returning to his chair. "Please, have a seat." He gestured towards the low table with the tea set. "I understand you have recently completed your gempukku. Congratulations. You have been assigned to assist me here in Ryoko Owari Toshi. This city is a complex web of alliances, trade, and intrigue. Your role here will be challenging, but I believe it will also be an invaluable learning experience for you."

Umeo paused, allowing his words to sink in. "My expectations are high, but I am here to guide and mentor you. I am thorough in my methods and will expect the same level of dedication and attention to detail from those who work with me. I find incongruities distracting, and it would ease our time together if you kept yourself as presentable as you are now while we are on duty."

"The ability to maintain an appearance suitable to hold our family name is not a problem that I expect to be having with you," The broad-shouldered merchant said approvingly. It was obvious that the young courtier had scored a point with him already, "Tell me, what are your aspirations, and how do you hope to contribute to our efforts here?"

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Thomas
*Ariko would bow deeply to the courtier, as is appropriate for her station and Umeo's, only rising once her direct superior had risen.* "Thank you Yasuki-sama. I am eager to learn all I can while serving performing my duty for the clan here in Ryoko Owari Toshi." *Ariko would gracefully adjust her long sleeves, sitting across from Umeo after being invited to join him, listening to the man intently as she matched the older courtier eyes.*

"Of course, I hope to be of service and asset to our clan while I am here." *She would reply promptly, eager to prove herself and that she was capable.* "I am still learning my way here amongst the city, and have spent time exploring and meeting other samurai while here. Amongst the Unicorn clan primarily. I hope to soon prove myself capable of easing the burdens on your shoulders, whether that be working with the Unicorn clan or the other clans here." *Ariko's eyes would be bright and her words genuine as she expressed her desire to prove herself.*

"I also wished to provide a gift to you, Yasuki-sama." *Ariko would add after saying her piece, taking out a small box from within her sleeves and presenting it to the elder courtier. The box would have some etchings of Crabs and Carp on the sides and be slightly bigger than the size of a book, and once opened would indeed have a book inside.* "This contains the stories, thoughts and reflections of one of the samurai who helped Yasuki Taka-sama turn Friendly Traveler Village and their sake works into what it is known for today. My sensei provided me this on my gempukku, and I would be honoured for you to have it."
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Barbara
After the token refusals, Yasuki Umeo acknowledged Ariko's gift with a nod and a small smile. "I appreciate bits of history like this — small and easily forgotten are the stones that send ripples through the river of history. Learning to see the world from many perspectives and appreciating that different people think differently can take you very far in this life." 

This new courtier's posture and comportment continued to show an appreciation for the expectations of her position. It was a *Good sign*, in Umeo's assessment of the girl. "You seem to have anticipated your first duties here. Building connections is a wise move. As such, I would have you meet and get to know the personality and perspective of each of the figures of note in the city. Start with the Unicorn and the Mantis. They are our allies and key players in the city."

As he spoke, he pulled three wooden puzzle boxes from within his desk and set them in front of the petite courtier. Each box was carved in a similar style, and the geometric mosaic of the inlaid marquetry was the same for each. "This assignment is a large endeavor. I do not expect you to finish it in its entirety before the Summer heat arrives. I trust your Sensei provided you with the tools to understand why this is a valuable enterprise and that you will grow through its implementation." 

He slowly opened the largest of the three boxes facing her, and immediately noticeable was the shine of the highly polished necklace. The room around the young samurai-ko almost seemed to brighten with the reveal. "It will not be your only duty while you are here. But it is your first, and one that will be ongoing as we face the many obstacles that this city chooses to set before us. These boxes contain two gifts and the first step of your assignment."

Tiny bells of jade inlaid in silver and copper were strung between teardrops of sapphire and lapis. The dainty chain holding the piece together was composed of alternating links of white and yellow gold. As the necklace moved, it rang with a sound that could be described as the light staccato of snow on a frozen lake... Played by the spirit of Lady Doji on an ethereal koto made of her forgotten daydreams. The other boxes held similar strands. Matching pairs of bracelets and anklets joined the necklace, their inlaid jade bells tinkling a melancholy song of winter winds and campfires long cold. 

The broad-shouldered auditor gave her time to absorb the magnitude of the gift and work her way through the ritual of denials before accepting it. "There is beauty in song, and there is mindfulness in silence. Both have their places, and this will teach you the grace to choose when you are to be surrounded by either. That is the first gift, and as for the second... When you have mastered the lessons that this gift teaches, you will receive a portion of my stake in the merchant that provided it." Umeo concluded with an almost dismissive nod of his head. He neither acknowledged that he was giving her a set of jewelry suitable for a Daimyo, *At least an Ambassador*, or that the lesson that he was referring to was how to move unheard and unnoticed. 

"I had them commissioned through a local merchant. Their storefront is a small family affair, only noteworthy due to the extensive network of untapped artisans they seem to have snared. I began to invest in this holding after it was brought to my attention by a Unicorn Shugenja. Ide Khulan is her name, and I will very much enjoy reading your exhaustive report on her."
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Thomas
*Ariko was relieved when Umeo smiled at her gift after accepting it, pleased she had not ruined her first impression with the selected gift for her superior. She would not at Umeo's words.* "I concur, Yasuki-sama. The viewpoints of others can often lead to unexpected knowledge that could always be of use."

*She would carefully take in Umeo's words as he told her what was expected. Getting closer with the Unicorn and Mantis. Thankfully, she had already spent a decent amount of time making contacts amongst the Unicorn clan so that would help her. She had not met any amongst the Mantis yet though, and that would be something she would have to rectify.* "The Unicorn and Mantis. Of course, Yasuki-sama. On top of the duties I am provided, I will see what I can do to meet more from those clans and foster the relations I have already created amongst the Unicorn."

*The woman would focus on the words Umeo was saing as he brought out three boxes, the courtier surprised he would have something for her, but not letting that override her focus on his words. That would change once she saw **What** Was inside the boxes, and the young courtier would let her composure slip for a moment in surprise as she realized what Umeo was giving her. To her credit, she would quickly recover and hide her surprise as she went through the token refusals as proper protocol required.*

"You honour me greatly with this gift, Yasuki-sama. I will do all I can in my duty to ensure I do not fail to live up to your expectations." *The courtier would bow deeply, thankful for the brief moment to hide her face as she felt a pit building in her stomach at the magnitude of what Yasuki Umeo had given her and what she had to learn to do. She suspected she would be known as the jingling Crab within the next week. Rising from her bow, she would focus back on the last of Umeo's words, a more focused look appearing on her face as she considered her task.*

"Ide Khulan. Not a shugenja from the Unicorn I have had the honour to meet her as of yet. I will meet her and report to you once it is done." *She would respond as she considered the situation. Making an excuse to meet her might be difficult with her fresh role here but perhaps she would not need to. Giving Umeo a inquisitive look, she would tilt her head slightly.* "Yasuki-sama, are there any spiritual matters the Crab or yourself have interest in that the Unicorn may be able to assist with or have knowledge on?" *Umeo clearly wanted to see what she could gather about this shugenja on her to see how capable she was, so asking about her would be a fatal mistake, but that didn't mean she couldn't hit two birds with one stone in having a reason to speak to her and assist the Crab in any pre-existing things.*
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Barbara
Umeo sat behind his immaculate desk—distant laughter filtered in from outside, floating in the still air. Umeo's fingers ceased their habitual straightening of documents, and he leaned back, his eyes momentarily closing as he collected his thoughts.

"A new Kuni has arrived in the city," He began, opening his eyes to fix Ariko with a measured gaze. "While our own senior staff is taking care of orienting the boy, it wouldn't hurt to facilitate camaraderie between the two." He paused, a hint of concern on his face. The diplomat would prefer to keep an open mind, but having a Kuni nearby was like having a cooking fire on a sailing ship: Vital but dangerous. "You might consider making introductions down the line. However, your introduction to Ide Khulan will be at my own hand."

"I will give you the evening and morning to practice walking. Tomorrow, you shall meet me at a shop on Jade Street." His expression was serious as he continued, "There, we are to meet with the Ide at Jewelled Stars. I want to begin the process of formalizing and increasing our investment, and I have been hearing troubling rumblings from the area."
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Thomas
"Kuni Kobe-sama and I have already had the chance to meet, Yasuki-sama." *Ariko would respond carefully trying to keep any emotions off her face as she did so, but for an experienced courtier like Umeo would likely be quite visible. Her experiences with the shugenja had been mixed - he seemed more sociable and gregarious than most Kuni she had heard about or met, but that bird. That damnable bird that had ruined her evening the other day. She was unsure how Kobe could be so content and pleased around it, and part of her wondered if that said plenty about the Kuni. It wouldn't do to avoid the man though, and she had offered to assist with some music for him if he wished. The last thing she could do was refuse it now unless duty required.*

"I met him upon arriving in the city and introducing myself to Hida Koyama." *She was surprised Umeo was giving her the introduction to Ide Khulan on his own, expecting that to be part of a test of her capabilities. The fact it was being put in her lap made her wonder if getting a read on the Ide was going to be much harder than expected.* "Of course, Yasuki-sama. I will-" *Her eyes would quickly glance to the gifts Umeo had given her unintentionally, still shocked at the gifts.* "Spend my time getting used to them and will be ready to venture out with you to Jade Street when you are ready." *Not much time to look into the woman and prepare a gift, Ariko would have a busy evening and afternoon to prepare for this.* "Is there anything I should be aware of concerning our investment beforehand, or am I to gather that information on my own at the meeting?
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Barbara
Umeo straightened documents on his desk. He took a moment to observe Ariko, noting her careful attention and the subtle glance towards the gifts he had presented her earlier.

"Good," Umeo began, his voice resonating with a calm authority that seemed to fill the room. "I would say that simple attentiveness should be sufficient moving forward." He leaned slightly forward, the light catching the thoughtful expression on his face. "You are, of course, encouraged to ask questions when appropriate. We are learning in the field, after all." He gestured towards the documents sprawled before him, each representing a piece of the intricate puzzle that made up their duties here in Ryoko Owari. "It would not do for my assistant to flounder around like some lost pupil."

As he spoke, the bustling sounds of the city could barely be heard over the tranquility of the room. "Our endeavors here require a delicate balance of knowledge and intuition. Your interactions with Ide Khulan, and how you navigate the complexities of our investment on Jade Street, will serve as valuable lessons in both."

"The meeting will be an opportunity for you to apply these principles firsthand," Umeo concluded, his eyes locking with Ariko's in a moment of silent communication. "Prepare well, Yasuki Ariko-san. Our actions tomorrow could shape the future of your endeavors in the city. Unless you have further questions, you are dismissed. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
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Thomas
*The young Crab would take Umeo's words carefully, some of the earlier shock and dread at the expectations on her still there but also a sense of excitement. No, perhaps it would be better say an eagerness to have purpose here and a chance to prove she could accomplish her duty. She would shake her head.*

"Those are all my questions at this time, Yasuki-sama. I shall disturb you no longer and make full use of the time you have given me." *She would bow deeply to Umeo, and hold it for a few moments before rising when appropriate.* "Fortunes bless your evening, Yasuki-sama." *Having been dismissed, the Crab would carefully collect the gifts she had been given and leave Umeo's office as gracefully as she could.*
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Barbara
The door closed behind Ariko. Shakily, Umeo stood with the help of a thin walking stick he had left lying at his feet. At times like this, he understood how he could be mistaken for an aging man past his prime. His pained shuffling brought him to his maps. There was something afoot. Something was wrong. There was a problem that had been hinted at but was yet to be named. 

Umeo would get to the bottom of it.