Leona
To say that Moshi Mai was thrilled to hear the Isles of Silk and Spice were sending a mercantile-minded Courtier to her aid was an understatement. 

She had dutifully run the books herself, pulling triple duty: ambassador, Priestess and accountant, and while she was great at all three (according to her back and forth arguing with Yoritomo's assistants and advisors), she knew she was stretched too thin. So, when word came that one Yoritomo Sadao was on the way, she finally let out a sigh of relief. 

She allowed Moshi Kana to meet him first; she liked to have the deceptively shrewd magistrate meet newcomers first, to gauge how she viewed them first, before she brought them in to see herself. 

Hence, it was only after that, was Sadao's audience demanded of the Mantis Ambassador. They were to meet in her office, instead of the Grand hall or out in the gardens, as there was much to discuss and it was mostly about bookkeeping. Lots and _lots_ of bookkeeping. 

Mai's desk was covered in scrolls, but they were organized, files, and dated with her script. Each one had her seal of approval for accuracy, and each one had a copy which was also signed and approved. The stack was a pyramid of bureaucracy. 

Meanwhile, all Mai had in front of her at the moment was a vial of orange paint, and a small brush, as she meticulously painted her nails. 

As she idled, her yojimbo stood behind her, looking somewhat nervous. The day before, she had broken some rather important news, which had led to a rather heated, angry, and uncertain future for the ronin. But, she had yet to be told to leave, and she was not turned away when she arrived in the morning for her duties. 

"... Moshi-sama-"

"You know," Mai sighed, "I never thought it'd be you that give me such a headache. Ronin and gaijin, it seems, always have the most to give when it comes to headaches." 

"Yes, mistress, but-"

"Couldn't you just fuck the stableboy like a normal ronin? Some samurai, really? Can you at least tell me who-"

"I refuse." Chiyoko's tone was stern. 

"..." Mai went back to her painting. "Right. Go ahead and fetch Sadao, dog." 

The ronin bowed, and left the room to find the Yoritomo for the meeting. 

||
Spencer
It was time to get to work. Everything must be kept in order, not least because Sadao's fellow Mantis were often an unruly bunch, but because they had to keep meticulous records to maintain proof of their hold on Rokugani economic prosperity. 

If Sadao had his way, the River of Gold would be renamed something like Thunder's Promise River, in honor of the spirit that his Clan had proven in themselves. 

He was dressed to impress, but not to make a statement. His look today was *Professional.* Black eboshi, teal kimono of fine but utilitarian embroidery detailing carp and bats, symbols of good fortune. 

The Mantis mon was displayed prominently, and he had the scroll case in his obi as before. Spotting Chiyoko, the dark-eyed Sadao gave her a light but cursory bow. More respect than a typical ronin may deserve. He'd been given her description from some attendant earlier. 

"Good day. Chiyoko-san, yes? This one is Yoritomo Sadao, and this one is here upon request of the noble Moshi Mai-sama. Forgive my curiosity... Are you well?"

A delicate road to navigate, what with the Yoritimo's methods bearing a strong emphasis on ronin or less scrupulous types.
Leona
"That is I, yes." Chiyoko bowed to the young samurai, nice and deep. She was ready to escort him to the office, when instead she was asked a question. The one-eyes woman blinked, and paused a moment as she looked him over, assessing the meaning of his question. Did she look _bad?_ Was he trying to say something? Make a point... Oh. 

Oh, he was just being nice. Or, at least that was the conclusion she came to. "I am well," She said with a nod, "I thank you for asking, Yoirtomo-sama. But it is not I who you should be speaking with. If you follow me, I will take you to Moshi-sama." She would say this about the newcomer, he was polite. Something that could be a big help around these parts. 

"Moshi-sama, may I introduce Yoritomo Sadao-sama." 

Chiyoko introduced Sadao to Mai, who bowed from her seat, and ushered the man inside. "Well met, Yoritomo-san," She said, "Welcome to the embassy. I am Moshi Mai, A head priestess to Amaterasu, the Mantis Ambassador, and once upon a time, the Pirate Queen. Please, take a seat." She motioned to a soft cushion on the floor, and then used her finger to beckon Chiyoko inside. "I take it you met Chiyoko-san," She said. "Hopefully she wasn't too mean; she's a good guard dog, but she's got a bite to her, too." She gave Chiyoko a nod of approval, and in turn the yojimbo smiled softly. A good sign? Perhaps. 

"I've already called for tea," Mai explained, "So we'll wait for that before we get to business. For now, let me ask you, how were your travels? How fares your family?"
Spencer
Sadao would politely follow Chiyoko to Mai's office, and he would bow at the door when he was announced. After he was inside, he bowed again to her and her desk, listening to her introduction with rapt attention.

"It is an honor to be in the presence of one so storied and cherished, Moshi-sama," Sadao said without hiding the impression in his voice. A head priestess, a pirate of renown, and the chosen ambassador for the Clan all at once? It sounded like a lot of weight to carry.

Perhaps she could relinquish one of those titles, one day... If Sadao proved himself.

"Moshi-sama's words no doubt speak to the quality of Chiyoko-san's ferocity should, kami forbid, she need defend Moshi-sama's honor or person. I am sure her *Kiai* Is more mighty than a Unicorn war-dog's, at that."

He'd move to sit on the cushion in seiza, before bowing at the prospect of tea. "Moshi-sama's concern for this one's state and family are appreciated and admired, and speak to Moshi-sama's boundless compassion for her Clan. This one's travels were as expected." That is, without a hitch. "This one's family is in good health. Yoritomo Izumi-san, this one's sister, is particularly blessed. This one is going to be an uncle soon." He wouldn't dare ask Mai how she was faring, to even suggest something might be wrong would be inappropriate at first meeting.

"How may this one serve the Clan?"
Leona
Mai took all the praise in stride, certainly flattered and enjoying it for what it was. "It's clear to me that the Yoritomo Courtier School has put some serious work into making honorable young men out of their flock. When I was your age, all the Yoritomo were brutish, cocky and arrogant. Those were the days!" She chuckled, and waved away the seriousness in the room. "Please, relax a bit, Yoritomo-san. I am honored that you came in here with that level of respect and courtesy. It'll serve you well in this city. But here and now, you can rest easy. 

"See, I run this embassy like a ship: We get the work done, we get it done right, or we all end up drawing. Now, I demand respect from those on my ship, but how you express it? That can change to an extent." She looked over at Chiyoko. "Chiyoko, what do the servants call me?" 

"Mama Mai, Moshi-sama." 

"That's right. Mama Mai. A captain name, when out at sea. On the high seas, courtesy and honor are next to useless, but compassion and courage are necessary in great abundance. In other words, as long as you get your work done and you don't do it in front of someone like the Crane or Phoenix or Lion, you can be just as lax.

"Now, as for what that work is," Mai said, "It is all of these." She motioned to the scrolls, and presented one to Sadao outright. Within, there were figures and an index of the other scrolls. "As you can see," Mai explained, "There have been many businesses we've come to help with shipping, protection, or outright buying or loaning money to. All of which has been legitimate. We've been in a position that we haven't needed to do things in an unsavory way. Well, in an _illegal_ way. But, that's come with a lot of bookkeeping, which I've taken care of myself. 

"But, now that you're here, Yoritomo-san," Mai chuckled, "It looks like you can give me a big hand managing it all."
Spencer
Suddenly, Sadao's *Entire* Demeanor changed.

His shoulders relaxed, he sat up a bit straighter, shifting his sitting position to agura, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knees. He smiled. "Moshi-sama honors me in praising my school. I save my brutish, arrogant cockery for the right time and with the right targets. I must apologize, however, as I reserve Mama to my own mother. Moshi-sama was a pirate queen, Tsuruchi no Yoritomo Aya-dono was a renowned hunter of criminals... On the mainland." Quite out of the jurisdiction of a pirate queen.

"I may grow to call you as you say in time. Call it an over-emphasis on politeness if you like, but I am honest in my explanation as to why." He honors his own mama, dang it.

His dark eyes cast up to the pyramid of scrolls, and he said, "Ah." Accepting the index scroll, he reached to his obi, opening up the scroll case and handing one to Chiyoko, to hand to Mai.

Even when casual, don't disrespect somebody by handing them something that should be given to a servant first.

"That scroll is a record of the manifest and latest shipments, and what is to be brought back home. The divestment of koku is also listed, with some set aside for... Other needs." Greasing dishonorable palms, bribing guards, more illicit trade.

"What do most of our clientele consist of? Who are our strongest business partners? If I am given time to study this, well... I am confident that Moshi-sama may pass all of this into my hands."

There was a moment of a bare smirk, before he went back to a more business-neutral expression.
Leona
"I can respect that," Mai replied in turn, "As long as you get results, you can call me anything but Obaasan. That will get you _killed."_ She sounded threatening ||Intimidate 4||, but a smile and snorting laugh soon followed. "Don't worry, I'm just joking," She chuckled. "I'd never kill somebody for something like that. Hurt, maybe." She certainly had a way of telling jokes ||jokester Strength||, but so far, the meeting was going well. 

Chiyoko took the scroll case and handed it to Mai, who was surprised by the extra step of etiquette. This young man was going to impress some Crane and Otomo, that much was certain. Opening the scroll, she looked it over with scrutiny. "Let us see... Building materials, rice... Yes, that sounds about the same as usual to send back. And... Hm, plenty of spice and silk. Business as usual..." 

She stopped when she took note of the koku set aside for _influencing_ stubborn people. "And a clever man, you are." She pulled a blank sheet of paper, and took the brush she used to paint her nails to write out something in orange ink. "However, you won't be using that koku. _That_ koku is for legitimate business only. I want our books to match, and all books to have nothing but clean, legitimate holdings. I will _not_ have our enemies come at us and accuse us of being thieves and charlatans. Part of our reason we're all the way over here is to legitimize our existence. They want to call us pirates and thugs, and we will show them we're so much more.

"That said, you can take this..." She took her chop and stamped the paper, a writ for the full amount of koku put on the scroll. "...And get that from our coffers. When I was just a pirate in a big city, I... Liberated some koku from some bandits. A _lot_ of it. That money is unaccounted for, not written down, other than in my own mind. So, use that for any illegitimate means. The Mantis' coin is for honorable business only."

Mai slid the scroll over, and went over the business side. "Now, our chief clients are shopkeepers in the merchants district, needing deals on exotic goods, and the river shipping companies looking for protection on the river. The bandits along the river have gotten more brazen, and I had to go wipe out a group myself with some other clans. We're hoping to establish some sort of checkpoint on the river as a means to checking goods and searching for contraband, once the Unicorn takes the city. We've also tricked the Scorpion into allowing us to host a pleasure ship in the city, _Tomodachimaru._ We provided almost everything but opium, which is fine by me. It brings in a profit, but its secondary use hasn't made much headway. At the moment, we're hitting a snag with the Otter Clan. They have been stealing business from us. Or, us from them. Either way, we're taking this river and making it our domain. 

"We've made allies with the Unicorn, yet not officially, and we've decided to play nice with the Crane. I've... Made a deal with them. And we have a joint venture with the Lion Clan, to open a bathhouse. We're not allies, but a shugenja in the Lion Clan, Kitsu Miu, well, I like her. She's got an honest heart, so her want for a therapeutic bathhouse is honorable. Plus, it'll undermine the Scorpion, something else I'm keen to do." 

Mai sighed, and crossed her arms. "As you can tell, there's a lot going on that I need another mercantile mind looking at. I'm entrusting you with handling the numbers, copying all the ledgers, and making sure that at the end of the day, the Mantis are legitimate and honorable. Once you've proven that, we'll discuss bigger picture items."
Spencer
Sadao took the harsh intonations from his superior in stride. He was trained in the art of the threat, both subtle and overt, and how to countenance it in a stoic manner ||Willpower Earth||, and her laughter only made him smile.

When she said that he wasn't going to be using the discretionary fund for the typical Mantis... Shenanigans, he was questioning her judgment in his mind, but would not do so aloud. Then she dropped the other card, and *That's* When his brows rose in surprise. Not that he admired her cleverness, but that she trusted him with her personal stores. He'd only just arrived, and Clan or no Clan, that was a big offer in trust.

He carefully accepted the scroll, rolling it up and placing it in his case, shutting it with a snap. "Nobody fights on the shores like the Mantis," He agreed. "With brazen bandits, I suppose it may have to behoove me to see just how depraved some may be... Or how flexible." Put some screws to some of the unruly types and see if they may be more amenable to working for them in a legitimate fashion.

Then she dropped a *Hanabi* In his lap.

"The Unicorn and Ryoko Owari Toshi?" The words came out almost as a whisper. Her other plans were shared, but the knowledge of such a brazen plan? This was dangerous. This was exciting. "As long as we hold the river and the port, all will be well. I must share with you, Moshi-sama, that my specialties have been in maintaining a foothold by providing two necessities and one... Extracurricular option that plays to the secret hearts, or in this case tongues, of the buke, and with fortune on our side, the kuge. Everyone needs silk from the most basic yukata to the most exemplary kimono, and we have the *Finest* Silk. Everyone, from the humble craftsman, to the hard-bitten ronin, to the Seppun Guard, requires lacquer for their daisho at the least."

"And last, for those of more refined tastes... Spices to show there is more to life than congee." This was followed by a laugh. "It will be done."
Leona
"Don't tell me you weren't informed of the movings here." Mai was amused at the reaction Sadao had of the news about the Unicorn. "Indeed, we were originally allied with the Scorpion, if only because teh Crane intended to rally with the Unicorn. As far as I see it, the Scorpion have the right to the city, and a damned city, at that. But that was also before our clan was disrespected time and time again by the Scorpion... And before I realized that the Crane are horrendously weak-willed at the moment." 

Mai smirked, but paused as a servant brought in tea for the both of them. The servant poured for the two samurai, and after a warm sip, Mai continued. "The Crane are surely using the Unicorn as a means to an end, but they're so silent and unhelpful, it gave us an opportunity to show our worth. The Unicorn are an honorable lot, and much like ourselves, they have a bad reputation, unwarranted to boot. That might just be my gaijin blood speaking out, but the Unicorn haven't done a thing to us in the history of our Clans. Makes more sense to be allies because of that than enemies." 

Mai didn't speak after Sadao explained his side of things, and what he could provide. She just took him in as he was. So, a minute or two of silence passed before she sipped her teeth and spoke again. "Yoritomo Sadao," She announced, "I have high hopes for you." She raised her cup and bowed her head to him. "Here is to you, and your family, soon-to-be _Uncle Sadao-san."_ She smiled, and placed her cup down. 

"Now, if you have any questions, ask away. You're useless if you're ignorant, yes?"
Spencer
"I will not, but I will say I was only informed of so much," Responded Sadao. He'd thought that the Mantis may have eyes on the city itself, but an agreement to give it to the Unicorn? Bold. Dangerous. He respected it.

"They had disrespected us? I must know these details. Forewarned is forearmed, especially in the courts. I do not wish to shame the Mantis." Sadao took a sip of tea after Mai, and listened intently. "Silent Crane means they probably have business elsewhere, and more to them. That the Lion have a vested interest is concerning... They're fairly judgmental of our pasts, what with their obsession with history."

He made a slow blink when she said she had hopes for him. He wasn't sure if it was sincere, or simply acceptance that this is what the Clan had sent. He raised his cup and bowed as well when she toasted to him and his family. "To you and yours, Moshi-sama." He took another, longer sip, and by the look on his eyebrows, possibly burned his tongue a little.

"I get the feeling I will be more useful with questions after I peruse that stack of scrolls. However, I suppose the most important things I must know are: how have the Scorpion disrespected us? Who are the Otter, and how are they slowing our progress along riverside dominance? I am surprised we have not simply bought them. And finally... I already know to expect the unexpected in a Shosuro city. What dangers should I be made aware of?" He was, after all, a yojimboless courtier.
Leona
For once, Mai wasn't too keen to speak. It was clear on her face that the incidents around the Scorpion weren't ones that she was wanting to bring back up. Indeed, while many of the Mantis knew _what_ happened, Mai wasn't one to talk about _how_ it went down. So, she would leave out some of the more embarrassing bits, or at the very least finagle them a little. 

"When we joined up with the Scorpion, it was to get some money and beat up the Crane Clan. Simple as that. We'd go in, disrupt, bully and beat those dainty birds into submission. But, it al relied on the Scorpion being as clever, resilient, and shrewd as they claim to be. Instead, we got inaction from the Scorpion, and harebrained schemes. We were embarrassed at the beginning of my tenure at the first conference of the ambassadors, when I inadvertently revealed a forgery scheme done by the late Shosuro governor. A scheme he didn't tell his _ally_ about, leaving us entirely exposed and looking idiotic. _That_ governor and the Unicorn ambassador at the time killed themselves in a duel over that very conference. 

"Then, the _next ambassador came and went. And then another. I met the first one never, the second one once, and I only learned of his existence when a Scorpion came to visit me by sneaking into my rooms. In the throes of... Let's simply say a widow's loneliness, I didn't throw her out, and enjoyed some..." She motioned with her hands as if to say 'you know what I mean," And continued. "She then asked me to find gaijin pepper to plant on the Unicorn, and to side with her if the new ambassador needed to be taken out. At that point, I had met no ambassadors, suffered insult, and was asked to fetch forbidden material. Another incident occured, but that was forgiven and handled. The point remains, the Scorpion clan is a a rudderless ship, and they tossed out the sails ages ago."

"Now, the Otter Clan. They're a minor clan I haven't heard of, but they were at the Battle of Cherry Blossom Snow, or so I've been told. We know little, other than that they reside on Cherry Blossom Snow Lake, and they don't like the Mantis Clan. Why, is ia mystery to me. I sent some scouts out to see how many businesses or guilds use the Otter as river guards, but I feel they will not bring any choice results. But, either way, I intend to meet them as soon as I can, and broker a deal. They might hate us, but they certainly won't like us if we choke them out of work. There's no reason we can't figure something out. Especially when I have unmarried samurai to offer." 

"As for the city, you have a couple dozen things to worry about. The Phoenix almost caused a riot among the hinin, so the Leatherworkers Quarter can be dangerous for a Samurai. To make matters worse, there are the fireman gangs. Most of them are thugs looking for a handout or a racket; we've had to chase off a few groups here and there from our _own_ rackets. Be mindful of the Strong Arms especially; they'll kill Samurai, brazenly so." She leaned in a little, as if to whisper. "And there are _kolat_ in the city. I know not how many, but cancer is cancer, and this body has some.

"The more I speak of it, the more uneasy it's making me to have you out and about on your own." Moshi Mai took some notes down, and called for a servant. "I am assigning you a yojimbo," She said, "She's a ronin named Karasu, like mine, but she'll do well for the time being. Once we find a more suitable candidate, we'll switch them out. Her name is Kiseru. Used to be a Crane, then a thug with ten fingers. Then she tried to kill _me._ Now, she's a good dog with _eight."_ Mai chuckled, remembering that night. And the Crab scout that... No, best not to think about her. 

"For now, catch your bearings, make connections, and make sure to play nice with any Crane you meet. If they give you any trouble, biring the issue to me. I'll take care of it."
Spencer
Sadao listened. And listened. And listened. He was as silent as a stone, looking at the Moshi's hair as not to meet her eyes. 

Her sordid tale of Scorpion manipulation and incompetence was stirring. To his knowledge the Moshi were the more traditional... Perhaps she took the name when she was married. She did say she was a widow. These were thoughts to put aside. 

"Insofar as the Otter are concerned, Imperial law dictates we cannot make war on them. If we need to make them fall to dogeza, Dojo Raiden has techniques... For them, and the firemen. If the Strong Arms are so bold, an example must be made when we have the resources. As far as the Kolat go... I will leave that to the magistrates."

The Kolat were a conspiracy he knew next to nothing about, beyond 'avoid, if at all possible.' He took a breath, thinking. "Moshi-sama's concern is appreciated." Raven, and Smoking Pipe. "As long as a yojimbo can do their part in being vigilant and protecting me against threats, I will have them at my side. Is there a room I may go to, to study these scrolls? I need to absorb all of this," And it was a goddamn pile, "And I do not wish to interrupt your duties in your office while I do." He will also need ink and paper to make copies and to sign them with his chop.

This might be a long few days of paper-pushing, but he was going to make sure the Mantis' ledger was in order.
Leona
Mai chuckled, a little too loudly. "I love youthful samurai," She said pleasingly, "They always have such big ideas. No, when it comes to the Otter, we will go in as friends and make friends. I'm a bully at heart, but bullying lessers is hardly a rewarding experience. As for the Strong Arms, we'll leave them to the Crane. They have their business with the fireman gangs and we'll let them throw bodies at that problem for the time being. 


"As for you, you'll find that you have sleeping and working quarters available to you. It's not much, but you'll have a desk and more. I'll have my crew- ah, servants- bring you these scrolls in due time. For now, get yourself acquainted with the embassy. Relax a spell; you'll be hard at work very soon enough." 

Mat stood, and gave one last bow to Sadao before turning her back on him, showing that he was dismissed to his leisure. "Oh, and once again, Yoritomo Sadao-san: Wellcome to Ryoko Owari Toshi."