Shawn
After the address to the Clan samurai, and once others had taken the opportunity to speak with him, Iemon would catch Sanumo's attention and gesture for him to join him in his office. 

The office itself was still relatively sparse, though the amount of papers on the desk had become lessened as well as better organized in the months since Sanumo had first arrived.

Iemon would take his seat on the opposite side of the desk, gesturing for Sanumo to get comfortable as well. After the confidence in his speech, Iemon seemed somewhat tired, blinking to clear his head as he relaxed his posture into a more natural position, rather than a pose that served to elicit confidence in his fellows.

"Not a bad speech, I hope?" He says, giving a rueful smile. "Trying to provide stability and guidance as best I can.

"I had hoped to meet with you both to hear your update firsthand regarding your investigation, as well as to hear your thoughts regarding our options in this city's political climate." 

He pauses, folding his hands and leaning forward and lowering his voice to make it clear their words were for their own ears alone. "Thus far, I have allowed for aid to be offered to the Unicorn's bazaar, which will give us a little goodwill there, while also expressing my concern that the new local leader has a rather martial reputation preceding her. Not that there is anything expressly wrong with a martial focus, of course." He pauses for a light chuckle at lightly referencing himself. "With both the Unicorn and Crane meeting jointly with us, it does make it plain that their alliance still stands.

"I will also be meeting with Hida Koyama of the Crab to both further our mutual goodwill and also to see if we can align in our interests. But as I said in the speech a short time ago, I feel it is prudent for us to remain friends with all at this point. What are your thoughts on this?"

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William
Sanumo settled into his seat and listened attentively.

"No, not a bad speech at all, Shiba-san. I believe the direction will do us all good."

Upon mention of his investigation, his bearing changes. He sits a bit straighter and gazes into the middle distance as he thinks over the facts.

"When I arrived at the Dragon's Nest, I found that Komako had last been there two or three weeks prior. The owner had many potential leads about where she may have gone, but nothing decisive." 

He held up a finger as if to stall. "However, I had a chance encounter on my way out. After some effort on my part, a peasant woman divulged that Isawa-san and Shiba-san have been patronizing a temple somewhere. I leaned on my newness in town to try and arrange a meeting as a well-meaning spirit. The woman seemed convinced that Isawa-san would take us up on it, but only time will tell. One way or another, we're closing in on them."

Seeming to come back to the present somewhat, he continues. "Having been consumed with my search, I admit most of my knowledge of local politics is built on hearsay and what paperwork I simply must attend to between excursions. Based on that, however, I have some ideas. First, I'd like to hear if there are any new developments that may sway me." At this point, he learns about our involvement in the bazaar and the upcoming meeting with the Crab ambassador.

Sanumo doesn't answer the ambassador's question directly, instead choosing to approach from an unexpected angle, "From a strategic standpoint, what purpose does neutrality serve? Broadly speaking."

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Shawn
Iemon nods. "Several purposes. Firstly, it gives us a degree of separation, which will assist us in both staying out of the conflict as well as, should things begin to escalate, presents us as a solid option to mediate tensions. Secondly, by remaining neutral and courting others to keep on friendly terms, it gives us potential leverage to help push for peace even further if favors are able to be exchanged. Thirdly..." He ponders his next words carefully. "...Thirdly, if we are shown to be actively working to keep the peace, that may in turn influence the overseer in choosing who is most qualified to govern affairs in the city in the long run."

He leans back carefully. "Whether in the end that should come to us, being a force for peace and stability is something that will allow us to better serve either the city directly, or the Clan chosen to do so. There are other factors to consider, which may tip my hand in that last point and aim to press that more directly. Ide Nakato had spoken of spiritual matters before his... Departure, as being part of what motivated the Unicorn pressing their claim, as well as the historical possession of this territory by the Ki-Rin before their original departure from the Empire. If spiritual threats have been allowed to fester..." His voice is still low, not out of suspicion of being overheard, but out of acknowledgment of this being a topic that was not considered 'widely appropriate' to most other samurai of the Empire.

"*Patronizing a temple?*" Iemon responds, incredulous. "Spiritual matters being of great import, of course, but at the expense of their duties? This is most unseemly."
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William
Sanumo paled. Despite his comparative lack of education in this regard, he was still Phoenix and knew the sorts of peril such things could spell. The addition of this topic at the end of Iemon's response caught him off-guard, his speech coming slowly and returning to its normal speed.

"Be that... As it may... I concur with everything you've said, but... Not with the spirit in which you appear to have meant it."

He shifted in his chair, propping his arm up and resting his fist on the side of his jaw.

"Those that wish for peace may only have it if they are stronger than those who wish for war. This is not me claiming that the Phoenix need to expand the army and intercede. With so many clans invested in this city, I feel that would only end in disaster."

He paused a beat to include time for contemplation.

"In my mind, that leaves only the option of swaying the minds of the war-hungry to our way of thinking. I have a plan, if you come to find it amenable, but it ultimately hinges on convincing our new governor that it is a worthy endeavor."

"What if we could avoid war by honoring the claims the Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn all have on Ryoko Owari Toshi - albeit not in the way they expect?"
Shawn
Iemon's eyebrows rise in surprise at this last question. *Most unexpected indeed.* "Let me hear this plan. Honoring their claims to at least their satisfaction would be a stroke of brilliance, given the state things were left at after than fateful conference. There is wisdom in your understanding, though I wish it were not so. Regrettably few outside our clan see peace as a virtue to be desired for its own sake." *This is why I needed aid, an outside perspective, an alternate path I would never have considered...*

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William
Sanumo nods, "An unpleasant truth of the age we live in."

He weighs how to best frame his idea, the silence stretching a bit uncomfortably.

"The Emperor, in his divine wisdom has seen fit to give us an imperial governor - a direct extension of his will. And what is the **Very first** Thing this governor did? He established a council of all the great clans to help steer the fate of the city. I do not think this to be coincidence."

"We are being guided, gently reminded and taught that cooperation between our clans is ideal whenever it is possible. I suspect the governor is not intended to be a permanent fixture, but moreso a tangible lesson."

"My plan is this: We should not struggle against the current of the river; merely influence its path. Let us demonstrate that the clans are capable of joint administration and advisement and then make the case for shrinking the council down to only the Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn. Each would have a say in the future of the city and would be cowed from violence by the promise of being met by both other clans as adversaries - let alone drawing the emperor's ire whether the governor remains or not."

"Every clan we can convince to support this, whether among those three or otherwise, will also make the proposal stronger when we bring it before the governor."

Sanumo is trying his best to convey a cool, nonchalant demeanor, but in reality he is racing through a lot of information in his mind and hoping Iemon shares in his vision.

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Shawn
Iemon blinked, his eyebrows raised, and his hand flew up to his chin as he began to actively consider the plan presented. It was... Brilliant. "I told you when you were assigned here that I had confidence that you were the right man for the job, and I am pleased to have been proven right." 

He looked the younger man in the eyes. "This is the correct path that you have laid before us. While I won't say my thoughts didn't have merit, they were tactical. What you have presented is a grand strategy."

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William
Sanumo's eyes shone with the praise and he nearly scrambled to offer a seated bow in order to buy time to school his expression.

"You are too kind, Shiba-san. I aim only to serve as best I can."

Truth be told, his only regret was not having had the plan earlier. As things stood, he wouldn't be able to devote his full effort to it until the investigation concluded.

"To double back to some of the other topics you brought up, I think your upcoming discussion with Hida Koyama-san is an excellent idea, both within and without the context of our greater goal. The other neutral clans seem to me to be safer to approach with this."

Almost as an afterthought he added, "Though while I have your ear, I would recommend we approach the Lion first out of the three claimants. While the others have been hotly contesting the city, the Lion have devoted comparatively little to seizing it for themselves. It would benefit them greatly to gain a foothold here without throwing much of the weight of their clan behind doing so."

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Shawn
Iemon folds his hands, nodding. "I agree, approaching the other neutral Clans will likely be our best bet. In my eyes, the Crab have the most vested in ensuring that lines of trade and supplies remain secure; as such, they will likely be as willing to back this approach as we are. Beyond that... If I observed closely enough, it seemed that until the banquet, the Mantis were in the corner of the Scorpion. Perhaps paying them a visit could provide some insight into their position now?

"Lastly, the enigmatic Dragon..." As far as Iemon was aware, they had become even more insular than before. *And to think, most have held the stereotype to the Phoenix until now.* "You had no luck in reaching out to them to assist with your investigation, as I recall? Maybe they have intentionally distanced themselves from the city's affairs?"

A visit to speak with the Lion would be necessary, and likely long overdue, even with their aggressive display at the ambassador's banquet, which, realistically, was only the third-most scandalous thing that had happened during that evening.

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William
Sanumo nods periodically as he follows along. "All reasonable observations, though I admit the Dragon's reclusiveness as of late does make me wonder where their focus lies. Regardless, it doesn't seem of immediate concern."

He was still elated to have had such a successful interaction with the ambassador, but knew the fortunes would only let him push his luck so far. "Should I maintain my current course or would you have me adjust to accommodate our new aims?"

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Shawn
"Maintain your current course. Resolving the investigation as soon as possible once we have met with the Unicorn and Crane will be paramount. Once that is concluded, we will focus in earnest on your plan." Iemon nodded. "Is there anything further you will need from me to assist with that?" 

As much as he would like to focus fully at this newest task, leaving old business incomplete would not be acceptable.

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William
"Understood."

Pausing, he genuinely considered if there was anything he would need in order to end this pursuit.

"I... Do not think so. Unless we are being misled, I should think that anything we could bring to bear - especially with Shiba Tsutsumi-san on our side - would be sufficient."

He seems resolute, his expression giving no room for doubt. "I will see it done, one way or another."

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Shawn
Iemon nods, and considers. "It may be more expedient to throw more of our resources into a speedy resolution of this, to better free us up to focus as a clan on more civic duties. Isawa Taisei and Kaito Emiko could both be of great service in this matter. I have no doubt you will see it done, that has never been a question in my mind."

He paused. "As things progress politically, it will be best to have you on hand to assist me, both for my benefit as well as for the sake of better acquainting you with the other major players in the city. That is the motivation behind my desire for expedience, as well as further showing our ability as a clan to coordinate and handle private as well as public issues."

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William
To say that the additions Iemon granted brought him comfort would be true, but was also dwarfed in comparison to the pride he felt. Yes, he had said that it was in the interest of pursuing their greater goals, but specifically so that Sanumo could also fight on the courtly stage.

He truly had lucked out with this posting.

« I will see them contacted and this matter concluded as soon as possible. I eagerly await pursuing our plan in earnest, but I understand why it must wait. »

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