George
The sun already passed its highest point when a young woman in a brown Kimono approached the Embassy of the Mantis, first from the northern side and then following the road between the Mantis and Crane until she arrived at the gate of the compound facing south. While the russet color of the Kimono might appear amiss in the noble quarter, there is a Wakizashi at her side that marked her as a Samurai of some sort, even if its decor was quite plain. In any way, the formality of her Kimono was quite lacking, no proudly displayed mons of size. Though still she doesn't exactly traveled alone down the road from the side of the city hall, as she was accompanied by a pair of sailors, their Haori marking them as belonging to the crew of a Mantis ship that had arrived with the noon. Between them, they carried a box of black lacquered wood.

Stopping by the gate, the young woman reached into the fold of her Kimono and offered a few folded papers to the ashigaru on guard. "Please tell your superior that Kitsune Meiko has arrived to assist this embassy of the Mantis. The traveling papers have been stamped and seen in the Harbor."
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While the guard told his superior, who again told his and had the papers trickle up the chain of the embassy's hierarchy, the young Kitsune waited with dignity next to the gate to hear back about her inquiry. Even as she might have demanded so, she did not order the guard to let her through, or even ask for allowance to take the steps over the boundary. 

As the sun wandered over the sky and finally word trickled back to the attendants to bid her in, the gentle smile was still on her face as she actually bowed to the ashigaru for his diligent service before following him into a small room. After asking the sailors to leave the box with her, she allowed them to return to their ship or whatever other duty they would have left after the escort.

Left alone for the moment, the young Kitsune opened the black container to arrange a scroll on a little reading desk before she knelt down into seiza to wait once more, her hands resting flat on her upper thighs, even as time passed, and the seating position started to become uncomfortable.

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Bobby
Moshi Mai rolled her wrist and paced her fingers as they started to cramp. In front of her were dozens of writs, receipts, and other bits of paperwork from the last month's expenses. Why the Kami blessed the woman with a knack for mathematics was beyond her, as she was horribly bored at the figures in front of her. However, she _was_ good at it, and found some zen in the monotony. Yes, there was something about being stuck in a meandering motion that was calming, like a ship on a calm sea that must simply travel down the path-" 

"Moshi-sama." One of the servants announced his presence, bowed, and presented a missive. "A shugenja of the Kitsune Family, Kitsune Meiko, has arrived with travel papers."

"Oh, thank the Lady," Mai said, hastily getting up. She may have just been coping; monotony was _dreadful,_ and she welcomed the new arrival and the distraction from her work. "Send her in to the sitting room, and make tea. Something... Woodsy for our Fox." The servant bowed, and hurried off to get things ready. 

After a few more minutes of waiting, a rather tough-looking servant woman would approach Meiko, but bowed with the proper respect. "Kitsune-sama," She said, "Moshi Mai-sama is ready to see you. Please, if you'll follow me." The servant would escort the shugenja to a nice, comfy sitting room, where the ambassador was waiting. 

"Ah, Kitsune Meiko-san. Welcome." Mai bowed to her fellow shugenja. "I am Ambassador Moshi Mai, Daughter of Amaterasu. It is a pleasure to have you here in the city. I will have to thank Kitsune-dono for providing this aid." She motioned to some soft cushions, where two cups awaited. "Tea is being prepared, but for now, come, sit." 

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George
Casting her amber eyes on the servant as the door opens, Kitsune Meiko offers a bow towards the woman before nodding at the instruction to follow so she could be seen. Reaching for the ground to give herself just a tiny bit assistance to get back to her feet, she asked for just a moment to get up. "In just a moment. I need to take something with me, if we are to see... Did you just say the Lady Mochi Mai?" 

As she repeated the name, her movement halted a heartbeat, and the eyes of light brown opened just a little wider. Repeating the nod, she returned to her movement to get up, trying her best to hide the light grimace when blood flooded back into parts of the legs that had been deprived of it in the seating position.

Collecting both the scroll she had prepared to present to whoever was to see her, she then quickly gathered a cylindrical box of greyish wood from the black lacquer chest. Only so equipped she follows the servant along, a hand quickly checking the seat of her hair.

As the door is presented to her, she kneels in front of the crack, using her left to push the door a few inches, before she uses her right to open it far enough for her figure and a build. Without so much as saying something so far, she bowed deeply, almost to a kowtow, before she pushed herself forward on her knees into the room, with two movements. Turning, and trying her best not to show her back to the Ambassador, she reached for the door with the left once more, pulling it closed halfway, before once more swapping the hands to pull it almost closed, and then using the tiny wooden handle to push the last bit closed.

Turning back to the room now, the young Kitsune repeats the kowtow to the Ambassador, staying with her head close to the ground until her name is spoken, and only then slipping into a normal seiza.
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"Hai, O-Ambassador-no-kimi, Captain of the Shibamura Mochi O-Mai-sama. I must apologize for my appearance, as I have just arrived with the ship not a full hour ago. As you said, Kitsune Meiko is the name I carry since my Gempuku, and I bring word from Kitsune O-Ryosei-dono."

Having introduced herself like this, she slipped back to standing, shuffling over to the cushions to settle back, but using the more formal seiza than settling onto the pillows leisurely. Bowing deeply again, she offers the scroll that she had prepared to hand over with both hands.

"The Lady of the Fox wishes to extend her greetings to those that represent the Clan Mantis in the town that is known to spin stories and tales. In her wisdom she asked for one of her family's name to assist in the clan's pursuits here, and my late mother's maternal aunt suggested that I take this this chance to prove that I wear the name not in error." Inhaling a moment, her heart beat like a Taiko drum on the eve of battle.

"As a personal gift, I wish to offer you this painting, showing the forest of Kyuden Kitsune from the chambers I used to inhabit in the Sannomaru, the third courtyard of the castle."

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Bobby
Mai never did get used to the vast amount of praise that came with an ambassadorship. She had respect and fear from her crew, and she got more among shugenja back at the Castle of the Centipede, but _this_ was something different. It wasn't bad, per se, but sometimes she felt like people took more time lauding over titles than using them. 

All the same, she appreciated the long list of her accolades and credentials. "You forgot about 'Daughter of Amaterasu,' and 'Fairest Widow in all of Ryoko Owari Toshi,' but I can hardly fault you. That's a lot to remember off the top of your head, hm?" Mai chuckled, hoping her teasing was taken in jest as she often did. "Don't worry about the attire, Kistune-san; I've spent weeks on the sea, and I can assure I was dressed _much_ more poorly than you find yourself today." 

This Meiko was polite, very much so. It was actually appreciated; Kana was a polite one as well, but much like Mai, she was also running many roles, violent ones when necessary. So, a polite Kitsune was a nice touch to maintain a good image for the Mantis in the city. 

The gift that was offered was impressive, and at sight Mai fell in love with it. But, like any good Rokugani, she declined twice before "Begrudgingly" Accepting on the third attempt. "I suppose I'll just have to accept, if you're so insistent," Mai replied, "But only if you relax a spell. You don't need to sit at attention." She called over a servant to retrieve the painting, and informed to have it set up in her office so she could have a touch of nature to open it up a spell. "I will make certain to write Kitsune-dono, to thank her for the kind words, the grand painting, and the polite shugenja, too!"

Soon enough, another servant arrived with lapsang souchong tea, a delightfully earthy concoction. The servant poured under Mai's command, and to break the wait, Mai sipped hers first, signaling that Meiko can enjoy as well. "You'll find that while respect is expected here at the embassy," Mai started, "But I am no strict or demanding of titles and the like. Moshi-sama will suffice here with me. As you pointed out, I am the captain of a ship. A ship of surly, rambunctious heimin. As a matter of fact, it took me ages to get the crew to address me properly, since the often called me 'Mama Mai' when we were out to sea." 

A passing servant nodded to confirm Mai's claim, much to her amusement. "Now that that's covered, tell me more about you. I'm sorry to say that I never got the chance to delve into Kitsune lands. Much too busy out on the ocean, you see." 

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George
Bowing again, the young Kitsune did raise her right hand a little, reaching for the wooden box she had brought to get it into a different position as she slipped sideways, her behind off the feet and the knees next to one another. It was loosening the seiza into a more relaxed seat, but still easy to regain formality with. "If you wish me to ask the kami for a spell on your behalf, I could fix the blemishes that my clumsy hand could not prevent on the scroll. Had you not insisted that it was worthy enough I would have done so right away to make it acceptable to the eyes of yours and your visitors."

Clearing her throat a little, the young woman nodded at the request, her fingertips resting on the wooden box. "If you like, I will tell you of the lands of the Kitsune. As you surely know, it wasn't long after the Kirin left to follow O-Kami-no-Shinju into the burning sands, that the last of the Kirin built Otaku Palace. But then the Lion came to the lands that were given to those of Shinju by the Hantei, becaue the few of the Otaku could not hold back the tides of nanbanjin. Those that had remained to welcome their brethren back with all that they missed when they would return couldn't stand against the legions from both sides, and when they impolored O-tenno-heika, even the shining Genji could not bring back those that were lost and which had fallen to the claws of the Matsu. But he did gift them the Kitsune Mori and all that could be reached within a days travel around. And to protect the last of his sister's followers, he decreed them the Clan of the Fox, and that nobody may wage war against a clan of such minor size."

Inhaling after she recounted the founding story of the fox, the young Kitsunes fingers kept tracing the outlines of the old woodedn box. "This container was made from the woods of that forest, possibly many generations ago. When I became a Kitsune, it had served her and her father to carry their scrolls of sacred paper and prayers."
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"I was told that the tree it was made from had fallen in a storm at the end of fall, the same season that I was registered to be born in the large records that are secured in the sacred halls of the Kitsune Library. The Birch had grown old since it had been planted, and when the storm claimed it, it was reborn as three containers, each carrying a carving of the pond that it had stood over. I do not know who holds the other two or their tales, but when this was given to Kitsune Tamako by her father, it did accompany her till the day the fortunes called her. She was aiding the wounded of the many battles that came when the traitors to the empire opened the scrolls that should not have. When it came back to me, only a pair of her scrolls had remained."

Turning the lid, the cylindrical box came apart and revealed several rolls of paper with decorative brocade, but even without looking the young kitsune identified two of them with her fingertips, placing it between the two shugenja on the floor. One of greenish tint and one of pale blue. "The Prayer to the kami of water is widely known, yet it knits the wounds of those that have fallen. But it may be moot if not accompanied by a prayer to purge the poisons from their body."

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Bobby
"Hm." The mature shugenja chuckled as the story was recited. "Forgive me, I laugh not at the hardship of the Kitsune; more at the fact that I've heard a similar tale about the Tsuruchi, and many other minor clans. It seems the Lion often breeds them into existence." Mai silenced herself and allowed the young woman to finish her tale. 

All in all, an interesting piece of history that Mai had heard pieces of, but now had a much clearer knowledge of. 

The ambassador _did_ pick up on a little tidbit, all the same. This Kitsune wasn't born a Kitsune. Interesting. There were some that held those adopted in a lesser regard in the empire, seeing it as not the same as being pureblood. That was often the complaint of those that were weaker than the adopted members, looking for a weakpoint to try and make a play, one way or another. But, Mai wasn't one of those people. Her own circumstances were difficult, and she wouldn't mock someone for not coming up the best of ways. 

As the scrolls were presented, Mai took sober notice of them and their significance. "Path to Inner Peace... Truly, a simple prayer, but one that has saved many lives since the kami first told us to pray to them. I know it well; my daughter can recite it by heart, she prays it so often. Ah, to explain, she runs a clinic in the city, aiding the weak and penniless. She's quite fond of putting shugenja to work, so be careful if you every go to the Jeweled Flower, hm!

"Speaking of occupations and tasks," Mai segwayed, "There is the task of assigning _you_ with a task in the city. Naturally, you're expected to do as ordered, as long as honor is aligned and it does not go against the kami, but I at least like to humor those that come here, see what they might wish to do. 

"For example, we have been working hard to establish a stranglehold on the riverbanks. Control the shipping, the storing, and the storefronts themselves, at least enough to be necessary to whomever controls the city by next spring. Thus, our merchants and our magistrate have been working hard to make sure this goes on swimmingly. We also have samurai that tend to our pleasure ship, to make sure it doesn't turn into something _too_ perverse. 

"So, I would ask you, Kitsune-san, what would you like to do? Where do your strengths align?"

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George
"It must be one of the most recited prayers in the empire, for as simple it is, as much it is needed on all days and occasions." Kitsune Meiko's words rang in the room as she commented more about the prayer itself than the fact that knowing it might recruit her to assist the ambassador's daughter at some day.

"What I would like to do? Moshi Mai-sama, I am wholly unprepared to answer such a question. I mean, I have hardly considered such. My mother's aunt did insist that I take this position, and she did suggest strongly that I should contact a Nakodo while I am here. I know, that I should honor her request for my late parent's honor."

Inhaling as she reached for the cup of tea, the young shugenja sighs a moment, her face slipping just a tad. As she takes a sip of the cup, she gathered herself, slowly lowering it back to rest on the little tray it was brought in.

"I do like to tell stories and sing, so if there is a chance to do so, I would love to help in amusing your guests during meetings. As for assisting our merchants and magistrates... I can't assist them with the blade, but maybe the magistrates might like my assistance in understanding what happened in a place? I know a prayer to that effect that is rarely spoken outside of the Kitsune Mori."

Taking a few deep breathes, she then nods again. "I am willing to learn whatever needs to be learned to assist you and your embassy, Lady Moshi."

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Bobby
"A Nakodo, hm?" Mai crossed her arms, and pondered the statement. "Well, I was wed around your age, so I suppose that makes sense." She could certainly use a nice pleasant woman like Meiko to cement some marital alliances. Duty trumped love, after all. Though, she should really get all the bachelors and bachelorettes together and discuss such a matter. "I have heard about a matchmaker that has been advertising her services in the city. She's a Crab, so surely she's looking for more bodies for the wall, if you understand me. 

"But, in the meantime, we can't just have you lounging about waiting to be wed like some pillow book, right?" She took note that the young shugenja was fond of singing and storytelling, and liked to entertain. She immediately ruled out Tomodachi Maru. Not for this sweet innocent girl. 

So, after some thought, Mai came to a conclusion that should do well for the Clan. "Many of our shugenja -myself included- are pulling double-duty. I wear many hats, as does Moshi Kana. We could certainly use a dedicated shugenja to provide wards and blessings where they can, all in the name of good tidings from the Mantis Clan. I hardly doubt any shrine would turn you away, and if your song is as enchanting as I've heard, you could definitely win over people.

"Now, I won't lie: this city is dangerous. There are gangs in the streets that will even kill samurai. So, you would do well to have a yojimbo. Unless you protest, I'll look into appointing a proper one to you. Until then, I could have one of my ronin in my employ escort you when needed."

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George
An eyebrow rises a moment, but then the young Shugenja nods in return. "I will inquire with this nakodo, asking her for the services. But as my closest family has departed to the realms beyond, and letters travel a long time, may I ask you, as my superior, to speak on behalf of the Clan mantis and this embassy in the arrangements?"

Bowing at the suggestion of assisting in the temple district, her fingertips touch the ground a little. "I will pull my weight, Moshi-sama. This isn't a palace of the Crane, where such pillow books are written and consumed. I can most certainly assist with purifying the waters in the shrines and singing the blessings for the amusement of the kami and fortunes. And if our Bushi fall ill, I will of course do my part in nursing them. Nothing might be easier, and as time comes, I will do my best to broaden the breadth of my duties."

As the word comes about needing a Yojimbo, a little shudder runs over the young woman's body. "Such dangerous a town it is, that they would dare to assault samurai and even shugenja? I guess such might explain why even the crab didn't want to keep the town or so I believe was mentioned to me once."

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Bobby
"Look in, but do not sign up for her services without seeing me first," Mai warned. "As I said, there's a good chance she's more worried about gaining bodies for the Crab than true love or unbiased matchmaking. As I understand your familial situation, I will do the honor of looking over your best interests in that regard. Someone needs to watch out for you poor young children, after all." The older shugenja's jab was lighthearted, and the smile made it clear she was jesting at the latter end, but was adamant about representing the girl. "Rest assured, you won't be marrying some big smelly Hida unless I say so." 

Mai had to say, she liked this girl. Very polite, a little too innocent for her tastes, but overall a nice young lady. She reminded her of some of her fellow Moshi, who often fell into two camps: Rambunctious and wild, or traditional and maidenly. 

When Meiko accepted her tasks, Mai clapped her hands together once. "Good answer, Kitsune-san! I think you will excel in that regard. I have no doubt about any shugenja in the Mantis Clan, so merely uphold our promise to the Kami and you will do just fine.

"As for the violence... Well, things have been rather... Well, _violent."_ Mai leaned back a little, sighing deeply. "Not but a few days upon my arrival I got into an altercation with a gang of thieves and distasteful ronin. _My_ ronin was assaulted on a bridge along with a Crane samurai, a blind woman at that, and a months later both that crane woman and another Kakita were found dead. There is much in the ways of violence in the city. Myself and Kana-san, we were blessed with the skill of martial arts to help protect ourselves. I don't believe that to be true for you, dear Kitsune-san. So, yes, I will assign a yojimbo to you. In the meantime, you may call on Chiyoko-san, my yojimbo, for escorts and other tasks when necessary." 

Mai sat back up straight, and finished her cup of tea. "Now then, Kitsune-san, that is all I have for you. You're dismissed, unless there is something else you wish to ask." 

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George
Bowing deeply again, Kitsune Meiko reached to gather the two scrolls she had presented earlier, but did not yet tuck them away. First, she did acknowledge the other order given to her, even if it was a lighthearted jab together with it. "Hai. I will direct the Nakodo to consult with you in all such manners, and instruct her that you talk on behalf of the clan and family, Mochi-sama."

Staying in position a heartbeat or two, she straightened her back as the topic came back to violence, and she nodded sternly. "When anything happenes, I will not wait to inform you, and not take hold of your yojimbo lightly. I hope that in return, I will get informed should I be needed to mend the wounded of our clan." There was a tiny hint of steel in the voice, not the resolve of a warrior, but someone that had witnessed her share of death already, and who would be willing to stem against the tide, even if she still had to learn how to handle a weapon.

"I have nothing else to plead for, Ambassador Moshi Mai-sama, Captain of the Shibamura, Daughter of Amaterasu and Fairest widow in all of Ryoko Owari Toshi." Bowing again, the two scrolls returned to their place in the container before the young Shugenja emptied her cup, slipping into Seiza and bowing a last time before she stood up. She did her utmost not to face her back to the Ambassador, before she knelt back at the door, pushing it open with the one hand before swapping to the other, shuffling through and then pushing it back closed behind her.

With a sigh, she reached for a furoshiki, wiping it over her face as some tension slipped off her. "And I totally forgot to ask where my rooms would be... I... Will have to ask one of the maids." She more muttered to herself, before setting out to search for one of those - so her few belongings could be brought there.

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