Tonya
First and foremost, he found direction to a place he could make himself presentable. It would not do for the Akodo courtier to appear before his cousin disheveled. He carefully administered to his robes and hair, re-tying his topknot and polishing the hilt of his katana and wakizashi. 

Eventually, he made his way through the Noble Quarter to the Lion Clan Embassy. 
A gentle pang of icewater issued from his heart—like a cooling balm over the blistering of his anxiety. It was an island in a sea of strange monsters, with its golden-brown hues and stylistic architecture. A proud vision indeed. 

The sentry politely cleared her throat, and Akodo Keyaki realized he was standing directly at the main entrance, lost in thought. He issued an inquisitive utterance then shook his head, as if chasing cobwebs away. He ordered the sentry to inform the embassy that Akodo Seyaki had arrived, and wished to express his gratitude and admiration for Ambassador Kitsu Himiko-sama at her earliest convenience.


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Lisa
And the earliest convenience it would have been, as the attendant had vanished into the hallways of the embassy for a slight moment and never returned. Instead Kitsu Himiko would return from the shadows. The young Kitsu hadn't grown since the last time they had met. She had still remained a solid 5'0. Her golden hairs however had grown wild and free but seemed to be taken care off well. Himiko would bow down to her Uncle in the appropriate way. *"Akodo-sama."* She would state before standing up straight once more. A small smile grew on her face. *"Thank you for finding your way here. I welcome you to our embassy, our temporary home."* 

The Kitsu would wait for him to introduce himself if was necessary. *"Please follow me."* With that she would guide him to her office, where tea and food stood ready for them. Gesturing him to sit down as she had done the same on the other side of her desk. 

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Tonya
Unable to mask his surprise as Hikimo emerged, Keyaki's eyebrows raised—just slightly—as his young niece entered the hall. *How she's changed.* No taller, true, but something was extremely different about the young woman he remembered from years before. This memory led him to a brief, sorrowful reflection on Himiko's history, but especially her father. Was that guilt in his heart? He straightened himself. 

Careful to bow lower than Himiko—a somewhat clumsy feat when one is clutching a cane—Keyaki steadied his gaze to obscure the pain in his eyes as he rose. 

"Kitsu-sama. You honor me." 

He followed her down the hall, and took his place across for the Ambassador, as instructed. He reached a hand into his kimono.

"Kitsu-Sama, please accept this small gift as a token of my gratitude for your generous invitation, and as a promise of my humble service to your office." 

 The small gift was wrapped in a silken cloth. It was a polished, granite carving of a rearing lion, with flecks of dark mica fused with veins of gold and silver. The overall theme of the construction was clear: the lion statuette symbolized a shugenja with Matsu blood. 

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Lisa
Himiko would deny the gift twice as was customary. But a slight smile revealed how happy she would be with the gift. She would offer to pour him some tea, he had been her guest after all. Perhaps in the letter to him he understood his purpose here. But speaking in person would be better.

*"Thank you for the gift Akodo-sama."* She would bow down once more. *"Tell me. How was your journey here? Not too bad? I have some food for you to gain some strength and health again."* 

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Tonya
"That is most kind of you, Kitsu-sama." 

Considering which the young Kitsu would consider more rude—denying the gracious offer of pouring or accepting it—he thanked his niece and allowed her to pour the tea—though he privately chided himself for allowing such a situation to present itself. He made a note to refine his own discipline in the future. She had graciously referred to him as sama, after all, and he was unsure if pressing such a matter of humility would be interpreted as false modesty.

Observing Himiko briefly, the old man suppressed his internal curiosity and familial intuitions. He wished to ask how she felt, if she was happy, how he could protect her, but such queries were wildly inappropriate. She was not little Himiko anymore. He must demonstrate that he knew that.

"The journey was uneventful, and the weather mild," He answered respectfully, relying on his training to conduct this exchange of tea with grace. "I must compliment you on the order of your embassy, and the attention to its design. It is well, that the Lion should be strong in this city." 

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Lisa
*"The lion should be. But it can still be better. There are things shifting within the city and if we don't show our position we will end up like the scorpion, eaten by our own allies."* Himiko stated. She wished to not be rude or a strong leader, this was her uncle after all. But after speaking like this with so many of her clansmen she did not know better. She would settle down after pouring the tea. Giving him a slight smile. *"I am glad the weather and journey showed mercy. When I arrived the rain had almost drowned me."* She would chuckle even. Brushing back some of the wild blonde manes she would continue to speak. 

*"I understand that this is quite the change in scenery from what you are used to Akodo-sama. This city is a challenge on its own. It's far from our homeland and we are surrounded by the ones we normally wage wars with. With the pressure of the Imperials and the clan champion we are here. With the slight disapproval of our clan I have decided to not wage a war. I decided to show stability until it's our time to strike. We wish not to be a liability to our allies."* Himiko paused for a moment to clear her throat with some tea. 

*"This is where you come in. You see I'm young and I am not afraid to admit that I often lack skill in standing my ground. Not only is this amplified by my age and teachings as a shugenja, it sometimes causes insecurities within and outside of the embassy walls."* She trusted him clearly. Otherwise she would never even admit that she had weaknesses to start with. 

*"I wish for you to be our stability. To help me find allies that will not turn their backs on us because we are considered whatever judgement they strike over us behind our backs. As for within the embassy I want you to help me create structure and trust. This is the reason I called you here."* Himiko had elaborated on her plan. On his purpose. Now it was his time to speak. 

*"Besides all of that. How have you been since the last time we met, Akodo-sama?"* Much like he had felt it had been inappropriate, Himiko decided to shatter the ice, just like that. 

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