Gary
Dawn came once more to the Mantis Embassy, and once again Moshi Mai found herself very busy. As a matter of fact, she hadn't slept much the night before, having spent most of the night going over business expenses, checking the numbers, and ensuring that all of the Mantis' business was on the level, accurate, and most of all, profitable. A job she despised, but one that she was begrudgingly good at. She'd much prefer to be out on the seas, raising hell and wreaking havoc... Well, maybe. Older bones, less drive for tomfoolery. 

But, that didn't matter. What mattered now was a strong cup of tea and a chance to wake up out in the garden. She was ready to bask in the sun, now that her prayers were done, and-

"Excuse me, Moshi-sama."

Mai had just went to take a piping hot sip of tea while she sat upon a wooden bench, just to be interrupted by one of her servants. "Ancestors save you, this best be important." 

"Well, it's a new arrival, Kitsuna Akari, Moshi-sama."

Mai sighed, annoyed. She had _forgotten_ the Kitsune was due to arrive around this time, early morning. "Right, right. Did she bring a gift? Is it something that'll wake me up some more?"

"I don't know, Moshi-sama, but I can check-" 

"Just... Just send her to me. Bring the pot of tea, another cup, won't you?" Mai was pleased to see the particular Fox was here, upon her request. She just wished she was a little more _awake_ to greet her. 

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Joan
_Waiting with a customary cordial delay as to not enter with presumptuous intent, giving a curt nod to the attendant as she walked into the room to present herself before the Ambassador._

_Dressed in a red kimono with yellow obi, flawless white skin contrasting her black hair done with in a fancy bun with an ornate hair piece, stood Kitsune Akari, giving a full bow to the Ambassador, but before finishing the bow she spoke from vermilion lips;_

"Ohayo Gozaimasu Ambassador Mochi-sama. It's so lovely to meet you in person at long last, I hope my early arrival hasn't overly inconvenienced you."

_Her voice was low and sultry, her words rolled off her tongue like waves on a shoreline with perfect pronunciation, to be expected surely for one of her station but still a cut above most._

_Her hands where not at her side for they held both onto a small bonsai tree, one that was growing on or out of a hollowed rock set in the pot, filled with carefully arranged leaves and sticks, the perfect habitat for any number of forest floor dwelling insects, like a centipede._

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Gary
Mai took in the look of the Fox when she stepped into the garden, and they were almost night and day. This woman was pale and with the blackest hair she'd ever seen, and look positively resplendent. Meanwhile, Mai was tall, tan and with hair to match, and looked like she spent the night in a typhoon. All the same, the beauty was impressive, and it was clear to see the letter she received wasn't exaggerating when it spoke of Akari's beauty. 

"Kitsune-san," Mai said, "You could be the Mantis Champion here to appoint me Daimyo, and I would not be glad to see you." She chuckled at her own joke ||Jokester Strength||, and ushered for the Kitsune to take a seat at the adjoining bench. "But, rest assured, it is just fatigue that makes me grouchy this morning; you are both welcome and graciously appreciated."

Mai still had the etiquette to refuse the gift twice before accepting the lovely bonsai tree. A quick look told her that her dear Muka-chan would enjoy nesting in it. A nice gift, indeed. "Many thanks, Kitsune-san," She said, setting the bonsai next to her. "Now, please, help yourself to some tea." 

She needed tea herself, finding the matcha to really help with the sluggishness. "So, how do you fare? Any trouble on the road or the river? I could see how being a lovely-looking and yoouthful as yourself could lead to trouble." 

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Joan
_She sat as invited too, happy the gift was accepted after the customary two refusals, she had done her homework before their meeting, as she was trained to do with anyone, friend or foe, Moshi's unconventional companion was one thing that came up often enough._

_At the praised directed upon her she looked away feigning a polite shyness a hand over her mouth, waving with the other hand to Moshi;_

"Oh please, the complements are undeserved truly, I could do no less then look my best for our first meeting, such moments a few and fleeting in this life." _She said, smiling as attention was directed to tea._

_Without even thinking she took the cup and performed the last few steps of the Tea Ceremony, motions practiced for years, every finger digit remembering the raps on them by Akari's mother with a wooden spool when she misdid a step._ ||Emphases: Tea Ceremony||

"Oh many aspired to take advantage, none dared to try, I was fortunate that the attention I garnered was from both high and low, the former seeing the later did not make a move without consequence, I must say this city is as intriguing as it is unknowing."

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Gary
Mai could say that Akari definitely knew how to speak properly. Eloquent, respectful. Anything that one would expect from a courtier. And her tea handling skill was impressive, as well. Mai could tell from her own experience that Akari knew what she was doing. ||Also Tea Ceremony Emphasis|| 

The news of many lookers-on and wandering eyes was amusing, to say the least. "Now, now, it's unbecoming to speak _too_ highly of yourself," She joked, "Lest you end up looking like _me_ when you get old. But, you do hold one thing true, Kitsune-san: This city is _full_ of intrigue. Quite a few mysteries behind closed doors and hidden in lampless rooms. 

"Quite a few that may be easy enough to discover, if one was bold enough to do so." 

Mai sipped her tea casually, while her implicated words sat in the garden with them. "I've read up on you, of course. I understand your late father was an honorable man. A great loss. I understand that your _mother_ is a loyal servant of the Mantis, though she may not be as honorable as the late father." She was careful to say such without being disrespectful, but she was making her point clear: She knew what Kitsune Akari could do. 

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Joan
_The pallid courtier smirked, she had indeed been chosen for more then her overt courtier talents, and by someone with wisdom enough to see the effects unseen actions can have on the world;_

"To be in the presence of one who sees the value my family's 'art', it's refreshing to say the least." _She said, taking a sip of her tea, savoring the flavor before adding;_ "Forgive for not assuming your foreknowledge, a loose tongue is sharper a dagger then any tanto, and cuts twice as deep."

_To add emphasis to this point she reached back to the bow of her ornate obi, taking from it hiding place and placing it unsheathed on the table between them, a gesture of trust and respect._ ||Stealth 4||

"Sadly I was unable to bring with me the other implements of my art along with me, I was stopped more the once and my belongings given greater scrutiny then was warranted, has the Scorpion been over eager with it's venom, as of late?" _She asked._

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Gary
Mai's eyes rested on the dagger between them, a small frown on her face. "A clever little trick, Kitsune-san," Mai said flatly, "And if I wasn't tired, I'd probably make a bigger fuss about trying to impress your ambassador by pulling out a knife on her. I'd make some sassy remark about having the strength to wring your neck or something, but... Well, forget it." 

She chuckled, and waved away any sort of worry that might come up. "Forgive me. Your special talents are certainly special, and definitely talented. That much is clear. And I appreciate you not showing it by climbing through my window in the middle of the night. And yes, that has happened, and _no,_ I will not infer about it in detail

"Iinstead, let me tell you what we're up against." Mai sipped more matcha, and got down to it. "We were allied with the Scorpion. We have rescinded that alliance, and are throwing in with the Unicorn and the Crane. Naturally, the Crane are not a group I trust, but I _respect_ that they are ones that need to be seen as honorable, and ultimately are far more clever than I. We have made a deal with them. An act will be completed in Winter. And we will regain the homeland of the Kitsune Family. 

"But for now, we have the Scorpion to deal with. They've made no moves against us, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous. Sadly, the only way to deal with them is reactively, as they are masters of secrets. But, what if I were to have someone being just as secretive? Or someone that could find some secrets themselves?

"But for now," Mai said, "I have a proper task for you. Are you aware of the _Tomodachimaru?_ If you came by boat, you'd see the big, luxurious ship in the harbor." 

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Joan
"Through your window? Tsk tsk, that's not the way to do things, and rude besides. Despite that I can very well infer as to the why, so you needn't say more Moshi-sama."

_As the Ambassador elucidated her on the current situation she took the time to pull the saya for her tanto out, placing the short blade back in it with a small ritualistic gesture, before putting both sword and sheath back in their hiding place._

"Unicorn and Crane? I heard rumors speaking of one or the other allying with the Mantis but I suspect now it was personal bias on behalf of the speaker." _She said swirling her tea a bit before taking a long sip, refreshingly well made for once, the teahouses she had stopped at along the way never got it quite right._

"I'll pray we Mantis don't end up the rump end of the alliance, we could have done worse then horn and pincer, it's true. But to regain the Kitsune lands? Well that might just be worth it."

_As the conversation moved along and the mention of a grand ship came up, by name no less; the Tomodachimaru;_

"A sight for certain, I'd wager the blind could see the shadow it casts, but other then hearing it's name mentioned and a brief glimpse as I walked by upon arriving, I dare so I know scant little about."

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Gary
"Well, officially, I approached the Unicorn about making an alliance with them. After speaking with Ide Takuma, we came to an understanding of sorts. The hard part was taking care of the Crane and getting their approval, as fickle as that might be." Mai wouldn't get into the odds and ends of it, not yet. She wanted to speak more of the ship. 

And what a ship that was. Akari spoke of it with some rather flowery words and praise, which was flattering. "Well, that ship is ours. A brothel, a gambling den, a fighting club, a sake house, and means to transport partygoers to Teardrop Island for more entertainment. But the thing is, if they're already on _our_ ship, there's no need to really go to the island, now is there?" Mai still chuckled to herself on that scheme of hers. Sure, she didn't _plan_ to use it to undercut the Scorpion, but it sure did help. 

"Now, I have been managing any problems that come up with the ship, when my current assistant cannot handle it herself. But now that _you_ are here, and with your knowledge from your familial heritage, it would be child's play for you to run such an establishment, would it not?" Mai set her cup down, and looked more seriously at the Fox. "Now, doing so comes with extra steps and considerations. We have allies in this city that are not of the Samurai caste, but have proven to be good friends. Good friends that keep an eye out on the ship, and good friends that I will _not_ see disrespected. So, before I assign you to this first tasks, I will ask: can you handle that?" 

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Joan
"A floating palace of sin and vice? Oh, kami forbid such a place exist! I feel spiritually defiled merely laying eyes on it, my poor maidenhood is all but shattered!" _She said with bawdy sarcasm so thick one could cut through it with a kanabo, going so far as to act as if she was about to faint, and if not for said satire, the fainting spell might have seem genuine._ ||Acting 2||

_After a few melodramatic moments more the mask faltered and she lowered her hand giggling into it before regaining her sultry stately composure and listening to Moshi lay out the details;_

"Oh my, you'd give the Crane something to squawk about with such low cunning Moshi-sama, the ship sounds like exactly the kind of place I could make into my den." _She said, listening intently before responding;_

"Good friends like good tea are far and few between in this world." _She lifted her glass to emphasis;_ "So long as I know who these Samurai are and what special 'privileges' I am to give them, that will work just fine."

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Gary
"Hm! It's far too early for sarcasm, young lady," Mai chuckled, "But I see you get my point. It's a fine establishment that brings in some great money to pay our respects to the Emperor and fill the Mantis coffers. And I intend to keep it that way, with the right overseer, of course." 

Mai watched Akari for a moment, to gauge her reactions and to see what she thought of the last part of Mai's offer. It was important not to disrespect Silver, for the time being. They hadn't done anything to gain her ire, other than withholding their true name and face... And possibly their species. But, it seemed that Akari understood what Mai was saying. 

"It is no samurai," She corrected, "But a... Merchant, we'll say. They go by the moniker of Silver, and they have shown me no ill will. They're very clever, but they got themselves into some sort of gang war with a fireman gang leader named Tsubomi. It's all a lot of headaches, but the gist is, we are backing Silver.

"Until we have reasons not to." Mai sipped her tea, and let out a sigh. "Now, you will run the overhead for the _Tomodachimaru._ Make visits to the establishment when you need to, and make sure it runs properly. You will also act as a courtier when I see fit, to deal with some of the petitions and other legal problems that arise. But your _third_ taks are the ones that are very much against my will and against any orders I gave you... At least, as far as anyone asks."

Mai leaned forward, and spoke in a soft voice. "I want you to gather as much information as you can on the Lion and the Phoenix in the city. Especially two: Ikoma Kazuyo and Asaako Sanumo. The Lion has a splintered house; the Ambassador says one thing, and the Samurai do another. As for the Phoenix, they've been quiet ever since they fried that poor hinin girl in the leatherworker's quarter early this spring. They must be up to something, as their hate of the Unicorn grows stronger. 

"You're within your discretion on how to enact these tasks," Mai said, "But do not shame the Clan; your little knife won't save you from the wrath of a Daughter of Lady Sun. Understood?"
Joan
_The courtier listened intently, commenting on the mysterious 'merchant';_

"Intriguing, this Silver seems quite enigmatic mystery, more so for picking a fight with the Hikeshi, their violent squabbles with one another over responding to blazes are infamous enough, but to antagonize one of their leaders, though? Bold indeed. I think I will enjoy my interactions with them."

_As Moshi continued Akari noted down the relevant information mental, thus there would be nothing to gain if one searched her possessions, if they'd dare to do so without reason, that was, replying in confirmation;_

"I understand clearly, I'll see to the Tomodachimaru's upkeep and operations, you need only send a summons should you require me for anything else Moshi-sama, I am ever at the Mantis' service, and by extension your very own."

_She bowed deeply where she sat, holding the bow as Moshi relayed the less then honorable third task required of her;_

"A divided pride, and phoneix who burns all it touches? My, my, we do live in interesting times do we not? I can see to gathering what I can about both individuals."

_Sitting up she received the warning of bringing shame to the Mantis, looking Moshi directly in the eye unblinking;_ "On my father's name I will do whatever I must to further the Mantis' interests, and will die with honor before I bring shame upon us, your wrath so great Moshi-sama, would be as a light scolding compared to the thought of besmirching my father's memory with such failure."

_Her words carried an earnest to them, she meant what she said, she would die with honor before failure, or make it so her death would go without wider notice to spare the Mantis the fallout of it._

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Gary
Mai found Akari's answers and oath acceptable. She even managed to smile, despite her weariness, and she couldn't help but let a little chuckle out. "Well then, good. I like your answers, and I like _you._ So far. As long as you maintain your actions to match your words, you will do just fine." 

She leaned in a little, to add another little bit of advice. "Do remember, Kitsune-san: This city is full of Scorpion. So make sure to watch yourself carefully, yes? Your skills are good, very good. But they are many, and far more ingrained in the dastardly arts." Mai leaned back, and struggled to maintain a yawn. 

"I fear that will be all, for now." Mai stood up, and gave a proper bow. "You are free to go amongst your business. A room will be prepared for you in the embassy, which I'd recommend you use; I'd prefer my Mantis be under one roof where our defenses are best. Other than that, may Lady Sun light your path... And provide you shadows where you need them."
Joan
_Having finished her tea and placed her tea cup stained red from her lips respectfully to the side, Akari stood;_ "I am no stranger to the silent sting of the Scorpion, but I believe their belief that they dominated the shadows will allow me to pass by without notice, complacency can blind even the most vigilant eyes." ||Weakness: Overconfident||

_She returned the bow, deeper then Moshi as a sign of respect for the Ambassador's higher station, replying;_

"I look forward to being close by if needed, you have welcomed me in so graciously Moshi-sama, I cannot enough express my gratitude. May the rest of your morning ease you into this day to follow."

_With that she turned and left gracefully, off to seek proper lodgings in the Embassy and get herself settled in, the first day of many in this new city in her new station._

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