Gabriel
When Bayushi Tomura requested to be taken to see Umeo, the guards glanced at one another before allowing the Scorpion inside. One of the guards followed behind the Scopion as a servant guided the bureaucrat through the embassy. Kaiu architecture was on full display. The eye-level windows were narrow enough to be difficult for a samurai in armor to crawl through. High on the walls, however, several broad and short windows let in plenty of light. They would also allow smoke to ventilate, preventing aggressors from attempting to siege the embassy with fire. The polished vases, mirrors, and beautiful decorations were made from heavy steel and more than capable of crushing someone's skull should they offend the wrong warrior. However, the casual beauty of Kaiu work was on full display in the ambassador's wing. The exposed structural beams were covered with bass reliefs of mountain landscapes and painted over with multi-hued wood stains. 

Thin light spilled into the Ambassador's office, and specks of dust danced in the beam. It was a pleasant morning, as far as mornings go. Several things were already in motion, and many more things would be set to spinning before the end of the day. For some reason, Yasuki Umeo was sitting behind the Ambassor's desk when Tomura arrived. 
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Boyce
Tomura smiled under his mask, the Crab always had a bad reputation he found, sure they where brutality honest and honestly brutal, but at the end of the day, they sacrificed hundreds of thousands to keep the Empire safe from the foul things to the South, they understood Duty. He walked silently to the office and when he arrived, gave his host a bow.

"Yasuki-sama, I thank you for recieving me." He said, under his arm was something wrapped in cloth, "I hope this day finds you well."
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Gabriel
The Crab gestured to the pair of navy blue cushions opposite the desk from him, "Bayushi-san. The day, as it so often does, finds me harried with more letters to write than ink in the day. I prefer activity to lethargy, though. To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this morning?" Large maps were hung along the walls of the Ambassador's Office, depicting everything from trade routes to mineral resources and growing regions. A pair of quiet servants arrived shortly after Tomura, carrying a low table and tea set.
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Boyce
Tomura walked towards the desk, kneeling down in front of the cushions.

"Recently I had the notion to increase the art that was in my personal collection, of course this mean having to dispose of some pieces, one cannot have room for everything after all." He chucled, "However, their is one piece that I thought prehaps would be fitting in your own." He took the cloth and gave it to the Crab, should he unravel it, one would find a wooden rat mask, cleaned of course.
Gabriel
Seeing the mask, a smile formed on Umeo's face. "Ah, I see. I do, in fact, have a place for it. I find myself with significantly more room to fill after changing offices. This is a gift I would greatly appreciate if I could accept it. Surely, you would want to hold onto such a sentimental piece?" The polite refusal of a gift three times was tradition, and Umeo was known for his manners. The cold glint in his eye, though, would have told Tomura that the Scorpion had made the right choice.

After the process of refusing and insisting had passed, the broad-shouldered Crab stood and took the cleaned mask. "Ah, and somehow you managed to rid it of the smell of fertilizer and spoiled Unicorn cuisine. I'm sure that the Crab servants in charge of housekeeping would covet the methods that your servants used to clean this... Piece." Umeo bowed reasonably low to the Scorpion before settling back down on his cushion. 

"I believe when we last met, you wanted to speak to me about Gardens. Am I correct?" His low voice rumbled as he asked his question.

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Boyce
Tomura gave a sickly sweet smile under his mask, after it had been brought to his attention... The insult of claiming his own position was too great, the rat screamed for hours, nice relaxing screams, a cage of rats suited his face better then the mask did.

"It was no issue at all, Yasuki-sama, in fact it brings me great pleasure to see you enjoy it." Tomura removed the lower portion of his mask, revealing his jawline and lower face, from what was seen it was rather youthful, unblemished, almost soft in a way. "Yes, the Scorpion Garden is a cultural center peice of this city, a fine oasis of relaxation and rest within the fast pace lifestyle urban living demands... Yes there are those who seem to not understand the... Significance of such a landmark, the Mantis and Lion would seek to make an establishment like it, now I am not against good buisness and the flow of capital, but one does not look to the sky and ask for a second Sun or Moon, some things are just... Unique, and treasured for their uniqueness, yes?"
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Gabriel
The Crab quietly took note of the man's youth, listening attentively as he described his problem. "Hmm, I see. That begs the question, then... Why? Do they feel that the Scorpion Garden has failed the city in some way? Is it so similar as to be a direct insult to your clan, or do you feel that the sleight might be unintentional?" Umeo leaned back on his cushion, his eyes observing the ways that the Scorpion responded to his questions, blunt as they were. 

"The Crab's official position in this city is one of neutrality. We have needs and we have duties, and neither would be furthered at the present by trying to control this city. However, we have no intention of going against the Otomo's wishes and intend to work in concert with any clan who asks for assistance in helping this city grow and flourish. To be clear, the Mantis and the Crab have been on good terms since they were a minor clan, and the Lion have recently made several efforts to at least not be on our bad side. As such, I will not advise you to take action *Against* Them."

Sitting behind the Ambassador's desk, Yasuki Umeo steepled his fingers in thought, "I do appreciate this gift, however, and will entertain this *Very* Hypothetical conversation."
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Boyce
"Against?" He said with some surprise, "Oh no... No conflict is the furthest from my mind, Yasuki-san." He exclaimed, slightly scandalized at the suggestion, "No, I don't wish anyone to come to anyone come to harm, emotionally or physically... I just wish some parties would be able to see... The error of the thought." He said, sipping his tea, he gave a satisfied smile at the blend.

"I have nothing but admiration for the explorer and sailors of the Mantis, and the fine warriors of the Lion," He did ask one out after all, "I just think, their are some parties, who in their wish to add a flavor of excitement to this city, have forgotten that their are things in life that... Are, in a since, their is the powerful waves, the mighty mountains, the coldness of winter, the joy of spring, bittersweetness of young love, and their is the calm oasis that is the Scorpion Gardens." 
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Gabriel
The Crab nodded, "Of course, of course. But let us return to my question, then. Why would these individuals hope to open another garden in a city already full of such? If you can find out what they want and hope to achieve, you might be able to create an opportunity that fulfills their needs without having to open a new business."

"Now I'm going to ask some even harder questions. Is the problem that they want to open a location similar to the famous Scorpion Gardens, or that it would be an insult and a political blow that other clans would rather open a new location than frequent the Scorpion's? If the Scorpion Garden is, as you say, as unique as the powerful waves and the mighty mountains... Why do the Scorpion themselves maintain so many *Other* Gardens, places of rest, and cultural centerpieces?"

"It might be in poor taste to point out the flaws in a metaphor, but I would regret not mentioning that despite their iconic nature... There is more than one mountain and a sea full of waves. The problem, then, is not that they have the audacity to attempt to recreate a singular and solitary feature of the city and thus cheapen it. That much is clear to me. I am fairly certain you know that isn't the real problem, either. So, let us cut to the next layer of the discussion, shall we?"

"What do they want? Why? What do you want? Why? And finally, what do you expect the Crab to do about it?"

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Boyce
Tomura simply smiled at all of this.

"I believe the notion was to create an establishment catering to Samurai, Merchant, and Peasant." He said, almost sicky sweet, "Therefore increasing their influence among the money men of the city." If the Crab wanted to be frank, then he'll be frank.

"What they want, to expland their influence in those who, although society deems them unclean for it, money makes the Empire go round and the merchants hold more power then people admit." He shrugged, "What we want, well, there are those who feel this is an insult to the Scorpions's influence, which in this city at this time, even the smallest insult to honor is seen as worth defending, the Overseer will be seeing who gains the lot it's intended for." Their was also the unspoken truth, that the Otomo where stirring a pot, "What the Crab, nothing, however, the Yasuki are famed for their insight on the manners of commerce, I was just thinking a word from one as respected are yourself might have weight in the hearing for the land." He said simply, looking to Umeo as he sipped his tea.

"Your a cunning and honorable man, Yasuki-san, and I thank you deeply for pointing out a rodent issue, you are one I would wish to have a working relationship with."
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