Ruben
Noboru was annoyed. This had been a much more constant companion to him in his stay in Ryoko Owari Toshi than any time before. Inheriting a negative situation because of his former cousin's ill-chosen actions, as well as the needling of the Karo left him a good deal more prickly than he would like to be, especially in his newer focus of pursuing the Pacifism he had shrugged off in his youth. *My temper had its place on the battlefield, it does not have one here.* He thought to himself, taking an even breath.

He had been reassigned to a new Yojimbo, having given his previous one the slip to follow the beckoning of the Kami to the marketplace, finding young Naoki. Due to the tensions within the city, it had been mandated that Shugenja not go outside the embassy without their bodyguard present. The young Shiba had been reassigned elsewhere, with Noboru giving assurances that it was his doing and not the failure of the young woman in her duty that had been the source of this.

Still, that left him with the need for a new Yojimbo. A newcomer to the city had been assigned to him, and if he had any hope of being able to freely pursue his investigation, the sooner they were acquainted and expectations were set, the better they would be.

He had sent a small note to Asako Sotetsu, requesting they meet in the gardens of the embassy. He wore a simple orange kimono with the Isawa mon on it, his staff and wakizashi to the left of his seat, where he maintained a pose of meditation, though at the moment he only idly moved the beads in his hands, his mind focused on the mundane matters before him. 

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James
Asako Sotetsu received the note and nodded to himself, checking his kimono for dust again. It was worn a bit thin from travel, but it was clean at last after his journey to Ryoko Owari Toshi. The city still overwhelmed him. He could hear the din of merchants, porters, and shuffling feet beyond the gates of the Phoenix embassy and at higher levels, a constant companion he would be forced to grow accustomed to. Despite the noise, he knew a man could find inner peace even in a place like this, and he took a deep breath as he pulled his kimono on and slipped his sheathed blades into his belt.

Sotetsu considered his position. His father had been a yojimbo and had served honorably, though that position had not salvaged the mistake he had made when Sotetsu had been young. Sotetsu had briefly served as a yojimbo as well, though the monk he had served passed after only a year. Now, he may have a chance to prove himself beyond the mundane assignments he had been given so far, and show his worth to his daimyo, and his clan.

Sotetsu ambled through the gardens, his eyes drawn to the carefully placed stones and trees. It was artful and simple, and he was glad for the reminders of home. He saw the man with the staff and Isawa robe from a distance and ambled forward with a curious expression. Once he was at an appropriate distance, Sotetsu bowed deeply, and placed his katana and wakizashi before the seat of the shugenja. "I am at your service, Isawa Noboru-sama," Sotetsu said, eyes still on the floor. "I will go where I am needed and be your sword when you are threatened."

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Ruben
Noboru swept his eyes over the samurai briefly before returning the bow, slightly less deep than the one offered to him. "It is well-met indeed, Asako Sotetsu-san. You have the look of one weathered by the road as well as by life." He straightened, his face softening slightly to betray a grin. "I have had the pleasure to serve with many like yourself. It is always those who put more stock in performance rather than presentation that were capable of great things." 

He gestured for his Yojimbo to make himself comfortable. "While I hope you will not be put to the test too soon, with the duty I have been charged with, one cannot say for certain. My investigation into meishodo is... A sensitive topic, doubly so here and now after all the trouble locally between the Phoenix and Unicorn.

"Tell me, how have you served our Clan prior to your arrival to this city? I assume this is not your first time as a Yojimbo?"

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James
Sotetsu took a moment to study his charge as he spoke, noticing the poise he held from his physical build. *He seems able to defend himself, which will be a benefit,* Sotetsu thought. 

"I have served the clan primarily at Morning Glory castle to guard the grounds and escort visitors," Sotetsu replied. "However, I served as yojimbo to Asako Honzai in the last year of his life. He was on the Path of Man, and though he had some political rivals who disliked his writings, he was unchallenged by others during his final year, and thus my charge was blessedly peaceful."

Sotetsu glanced down at the unadorned katana he had lain in front of him. *How infrequently I have used this...* "I understand there may be risks, but I will be ready to face any challenges we encounter. Please forgive my inexperience in defending a shugenja such as yourself. I received some dueling training in my dojo, so I can answer a challenge to represent you if necessary. Are the ones who practice meishodo likely to make such a threat?" 

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Ruben
Noboru nodded. "Most acceptable. Morning Glory castle is a prestigious post, and I have had the opportunity to visit once since retiring from the Tsunami Legion." He had noted the appraising look the younger man had given, and regarded that favorably. *Here is one who does not assume much, and relies on his observations to guide his actions.*

"Inexperience is not a fault that one needs seek forgiveness for. The Fortunes know I would certainly be happier with a little less experience myself." The second statement was given with a wry chuckle, which quickly changed to a look of seriousness. "Mark me, I do not seek to lecture, so do not take offense at this. But speaking from my experience, I can tell you there are reasons pacifism is at the core of the Phoenix Clan. There is much I have had to relearn since returning to practicing what I had disdained in my youth. Experience of that sort will come, but it should not be *Pursued.*"

He stilled for a moment, revisiting memories, but quickly returned to the matter at hand. "In any case. Had you asked me before I had arrived here, I would have told you it was likely unnecessary. From what I have observed of the state of affairs in the city, however... It would be better to be prepared for all eventualities." Noboru had no wish to bring up the shame of the Ambassador being presented with a ronin to duel on behalf of the Unicorn. As far as he had heard, that direct infamy had been kept from the Ambassador's doorstep, and he had no reason to deposit it there.

"The practitioner I have met with so far seems amenable, and there are certainly similarities between our practices that I have noted, but knowing that they are under scrutiny I assume they would have sent someone who would serve to provide the best impression possible, both socially and spiritually." 

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James
Sotetsu sat back and considered the possibilities. "Yes, I understand. If I am honest, I have little experience with the Unicorn. I will keep my eyes, ears, and mind open." Then, he learned forward slightly in his seat. "Tell me, what was serving in the Tsunami Legion like? I have heard of their speed of movement, but have not seen them strike. How long have you been retired from the Legion?"

Sotetsu was curious, indeed. He should not have been surprised that such an experienced shugenja would be deployed in Ryoko Owari Toshi. His "Prestigious post" Defending the Asako family palace suddenly felt inadequate, and for a brief moment, he felt a rush to go, to meet the meishodo shugenja of the Unicorn Clan, and to face their problems head-on. Then he chided himself. *Patience, Sotetsu, you've barely arrived in this city. Plenty of time to prove yourself.*

"I will stand at the ready whenever you are prepared to depart. By your leave, I will ensure that my quarters in the embassy are moved to position myself close to your quarters, and I will accompany you whenever you depart the embassy grounds."

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Ruben
"I retired... Well, within days of the Battle of Cherry Blossom Snow." Noboru replied, the lines on his face growing heavy. "The sight of a true threat, not just of inter-clan rivalry and contesting of resources was enough to show me that my martial focus was... Unworthy." He paused, considering. Discussing such things, even within the grounds of the hallowed embassy grounds was inauspicious at best. "Suffice to say, what I learned on those fields was that the time I had committed to perfecting the path of war left my true development of spirit behind. My master has warned me of this, but in my pride, I had assumed I knew better.

"There is much I can teach you from my time in the Legion, yes. Speed of movement is something we are renowned for, but that is only a small part of what contributed to our victories." He stood, stretching, and shrugged off his outward malaise. "There will be time enough for that, have no fear. If you are ready, then yes, we should make our way to the Temple District. You will have your chance to gain experience with the Unicorn all too soon."

He picked up his staff, giving a slight spinning flourish. "You have my leave to seek bringing our quarters closer together. I think it wise to position yourself in such a way. You have a pragmatic way about you, Asako-san. It will serve you well."

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James
Sotetsu heard the hesitation and saw the weariness on Noboru's face. He knew it best not to ask further questions. "As you say, Isawa-sama," Sotetsu said, nodding again. "I am prepared to depart immediately." He gathered his blades and fit them to his belt. A small part of Sotetsu worried that he would be the one protected by Noboru, and not the other way around. "Also, pardon my indiscretion on this, but... Well, I have not had pleasant experiences with the Unicorn in the past. I will put aside my prejudices for the sake of this meeting."

Sotetsu stood, ready to follow Noboru to the meeting.
Ruben
Noboru led the way towards the embassy gate. "I will not pry into this unpleasantness now, to allow you to better put them aside for the time being. Prejudice can blind you to truths if you let it act as ink, blotting our details in the present." He waxed philosophically. "It can provide some context to present and future events, but the present and the future must provide better context to the events of the past as well. Perhaps it was an abnormal experience? The only way forward is to test and learn."

He clears his throat, lightly. "Apologies, I have found myself more prone to lecturing when I assume I have a willing audience. If I ramble too much, please stop me."

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