Margaret
It was Akechi who was up next for tea with the ambassador. Her hands were filled with blisters after their training session. Not necessarily because he had been stern on her, no she had been stern on herself. Practicing over and over when she had leftover time. Hoping to improve by the next lesson. But for now it was perhaps time for her to teach him a thing or two. 

A servant had knocked on his door. Asking for his presence in Himiko's office. There was no haste or stern tone behind it. It was a literal invitation to tea. 

The moment Akechi would arrive in Himiko's office she would greet him with a bow. Holding out a small wooden box towards him. *"Thank you for your presence Akodo-sama."* She stated. 

||
Martin
Akechi, adorned in a luxurious black and golden kimono, was a striking sight as he prepared to meet the Lion ambassador, Kitsu Himiko. The embroidered Lion emblem on his attire gleamed, a symbol of his loyalty to the clan. He had chosen this attire to honor the occasion, where diplomacy would mingle with tradition.

With measured steps, he made his way to Himiko's office, his presence commanding respect and admiration from those he passed. When he arrived, he gave a deep and respectful bow to the ambassador.

"Himiko-sama," Akechi spoke, his voice steady and composed. "I am honored by your invitation, and I bring you my utmost gratitude for welcoming me into your presence. Your dedication to our training has been nothing short of inspiring. I look forward to sharing this moment of serenity and wisdom with you."

||
Margaret
Himiko had returned the bow. *"Akodo-sama, I must say my blisters have truly been a gift and a curse."* The young ambassador chuckled as she closed the door behind him. *"I am grateful to have you here, thank you for joining me for some tea."* She would brush back her blonde hairs before grasping the box and offering it twice. After he had taken the box she would gestured for him to sit down. So had she. Making sure the tea had been already poured before he even arrived, yet it had still been hot. 

She had watched him take a seat. Tracing his every movement. Yet she seemed calm and collected. As relaxed and just casual as she had been during their training. *"Tell me, how are you doing? Today, but in general in this city?"* She truly seemed interested when she asked this question. Taking a sip of the tea after she had offered him some. 

||
Martin
Akechi regarded Himiko with a warm and respectful nod as he took his seat, the enigmatic wooden box safely placed beside him. He couldn't help but wonder about its contents, but for now, he focused on the present and the tea that awaited him.

With a thoughtful expression, Akechi raised the cup of tea to his lips, savoring the familiar taste that never failed to soothe his spirit. "This tea is truly exquisite," He remarked, appreciating the moment of relaxation it offered.

He turned his attention back to the ambassador and, with a genuine tone, replied to her questions. "I find myself well today, Himiko-sama, and I am grateful for this opportunity to share tea and conversation with you. As for the city, it is a place of constant change, as one would expect. However, recently, it feels as though things have been going a bit too smoothly, almost unnaturally so. It has me on edge, but I cannot put my finger on what troubles me precisely. There's a lot of thing I still haven't been able to piece together, and I feel that soon it will come to bite me or someone else in the midst."

Akechi's gaze remained steady as he spoke, a hint of concern in his eyes, though his disciplined exterior remained intact. He knew better than to dismiss his gut feeling, especially in such times.

||
Margaret
*"Elaborate on 'things' Akodo-sama."* Himiko stated. She seemed to reflect his concern yet bore a form of curiosity as second hand emotion. *"Anything I could help you with? Or perhaps other clanmates. Not that I doubt your capabilities but to have a second person is to have a second perspective. Often one to broaden horizons."* 

The small ambassador would take a sip of her tea. For once she hadn't looked too casual or feral. She had displayed herself as a true ambassador. The golden and blue eyes would glance at the dumplings as she took the opportunity to sneak in a bite. A small smile grew. 

*"As for the gift. Feel free to open whenever. It requires some elaboration as well."* The Kitsu seemed genuine enough to show this was not a test of etiquette. 

||
Martin
Akechi contemplated Himiko's words as he sipped his tea, appreciating her willingness to offer assistance and her ability to adapt to different roles as the situation required. 

He placed his cup back on the saucer, a seriousness in his expression as he responded to her inquiry. "I wish I could provide a clearer explanation, Himiko-sama. It's a feeling more than anything specific. The city has been unusually calm, and I can't help but think that there might be something lurking in the shadows. But, more importantly, what truly weighs on my mind is the Yokai that attacked not long ago. It remains a mystery, and I am concerned for the safety of our people."

He shifted his attention to the wooden box that had piqued his curiosity. With a nod of gratitude, he picked it up and carefully opened it, his trained hands showing the utmost respect for the gift. 

As the box revealed its contents, Akechi's eyes widened slightly in surprise or intrigue, depending on what he found. He would wait for Himiko's explanation before reacting further.

||
Margaret
*"The yokai."* That was all she could and would say before she saw Akechi's surprise. A slight yet polite smile grew on the Kitsu's face. Inside had been a collective of things. First to start off with a war fan with the Akodo mon on it, it seemed old. One she could hope he'd only appreciate it. Second would be a pin out of pure gold shaping the lion clan mon. Last there would be an Omamori. One folded in golden paper decorated with white letters and a brown like rope to it. 

*"A gift to thank your loyalty and to honor your ancestors, a war fan used in many battles."* The Kitsu would take her proper time to take a sip of tea for it to sink in. *"Second, something that will show the world our unity. Our pride. Your pride."* She would glance over to him so seek out a reaction. *"As for the third, an Omamori, a wish and a prayer towards the fortune of wisdom to guide you through these times."* She would fold her hands over eachother. The pleasant part had been set down in this conversation. 

Soon it would take turn to the Yokai again. *"The Honorable Ambassador Ikoma Zenmai-dono, Bless the kami, had us investigate the scorpion walls. There was something going on. Messages. But other than that there was no visible leak. Now that you mention. Perhaps we should seek out wisdom from the Crab how to deal with them. Miu-san and I are not truly trained in how to deal with them. Though we find ways to protect this embassy and everyone within. As far as our capabilities go."* 

||
Martin
Akechi deeply moved by the thoughtful gifts, expressed gratitude with a bow of his head, his eyes reflecting a mix of appreciation and a touch of solemnity for the war fan's connection to his ancestors.

"Himiko-sama, your gifts honor not only me but also the spirit of the Lion Clan. I will treasure them," Akechi spoke sincerely, his gaze lingering on each item with a silent promise to carry the Lion's pride with him.

As the conversation circled back to the Yokai, Akechi nodded in agreement with Himiko's suggestion. "If you so desire, I am willing to extend my hand in cooperation. I can discuss this matter with the Crab Clan, seek their wisdom on dealing with the supernatural threat that haunts the city."

||
Margaret
*"I think that would be an excellent plan Akodo-sama. Even though the Yokai are now an Imperial issue since this city is under the reign of them, I think it would at least show our best efforts when it comes down to cooperation and willingness to protect the city."* She would take a sip of tea that was already poured earlier. *"But speaking of protection of the city and perhaps the embassy, tell me why there was a scorpion in this building without notifying me. Perhaps I have not been clear enough that we forgave them, but that does not mean we trust them after the clear backstab."* The golden and blue eye would glance at him as she was clearly angry. 

By now she had looked like an real ambassador. Not like a rookie or junior that was easy to defy when she displayed herself as student with a boken. This was a young girl who clearly knew how to speak and demanded an answer. 

||