Treva
Asako Yamanosuke took a moment to compose himself. Fresh from the road and his journey from Kyuukai province back in the lands of his clan, he sought a moment- a place to collect himself, his thoughts, and perhaps a bath.

From the steps of the Embassy, he looked to the sky for a moment, steadied his breathing as his mastesr had taught him, and found his way back to the road. Shiba Iemon had assigned him as the new Captain of the Guard - Yamanosuke should attend to those duties as quickly as possible, especially since a Heimin remains in command at present.

He walked through the gardens nearest the embassy to find what he believed to be the barracks. He once again removed his helm and steadied it at his hip. He walked to the barracks main gate, and presented himself for all to see. 

"I am Asako Yamanosuke." He announced himself. "I have been assigned as captain of the guard by his lordhip, Shiba Iemon. I am seeking the one known as Shin." 

And there at the gate, Yamanosuke waited.
James
The young ashigaru that had responded to his approach bowed deeply, face visibly nervous at the war-dressed samurai that had approached. "Right away, samurai-sama, I will bring him here." He kept his eyes firmly averted to the ground and backed quickly into the barracks, not even rising from his bow. 

A few moments pass, and a middle-aged ashigaru with the stout build of a former farmer emerged, still in his lighter armor from his last shift of guard duty. Though visibly tired, he bowed low and straightened when appropriate, keeping his eyes respectfully downcast but still attentive to any sudden movements.

"Asako-sama, welcome. I am acting captain Shingou, but merely 'Shin' is good enough for me. I have had the honor to serve here for the past five years." 

It wasn't so much a correction of his name, but an acknowledgment of shortening it being customary, an offer of some slight familiarity.

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Treva
Yamanosuke took stock of the former farmer. Stout, hardy, and respectful. He nodded in acknowledgement of his address.

"Shingou-san." Yamanosuke eased his shoulders a bit. "Thank you for your service. I bid you to give me an update and tour of the facilities and faculties of the guard here. Shiba Iemon has promoted me as Eihei Taicho (Captain of the Guard). I wish to know what you know."

Yamanosuke paused. He began to wonder if he had too high expectations of the Ashigaru. Wondered what he had gotten himself into. He began to hope that he wasn't in over his head too far and that he had potentially set himself up to fail. 

He tried to hide the sense of overwhelming responsibility he just felt from showing behind his eyes. He cleared his throat a bit, "Perhaps over tea? Or a sake, Shingou-san?" He had hoped to put the Ashigaru at ease and build some goodwill. He's used to being the 'bad-guy' as tax collector back in Kyuukai province, but that was behind him now.
James
"Ah, Asako-sama, I am afraid the tea we have is not suitable for one such as yourself. If you would permit, I can request a tea set and some higher quality tea from the embassy kitchens for your use." The man responds, humbly. 

"If you permit, I shall show you around myself and tell you what you wish to know. If the Ambassador has trusted you with this position, then I am confident we are in good hands. He has cultivated quite a positive reputation both amongst the servants as well as with our humble garrison."

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Treva
"Shin-san," Yamanosuke replied. "That would be most acceptable. We can start with the tour of the garrison. I trust you've been keeping good reports for the Ambassador. I should like to examine those as well."

"If there are quarters available, I should also like to settle in. I would also like to meet your officers. It is important we get to know one another." Yamanosuke nodded to Shin in an attempt to become slightly more familiar with him, as to develop the beginnings of a trusting relationship. Yamanosuke, after all knows no one here, besides his brief meeting with the Ambassador. He has to start somewhere in building his reputation amongst the men. If he is to be trusted, he should exemplify all tenants of Bushido.
James
Shin called out for one of the other guards to hasten up to the main embassy building for tea. "Yes, Asako-sama, within the barracks is a single separate room for a bushi officer. It has been maintained with the assumption that one would be assigned to us again. The rest of us sleep in the main barracks hall. There are, however, no other officers. We are a small force of merely 20 ashigaru, so the chain of command is not particularly long."

He bows and offers entry to lead Yamanosuke into the barracks officer quarters, past several mats in a range of disarray, with four ashigaru actively asleep, presumably the night watch shift.

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Treva
Yamanosuke takes stock of the report and the situation. The guard is not so overly large, and there are no other samurai. He has only Shin-san as his lieutenant. 
"Thank you, Shin-san." Yamanosuke nods in approval. "Your update is appreciated. I will see the men once they've had their rest. I would like to address them. Please make the arrangements." 

Yamanosuke headed to the office to settle in and begin to analyze what he has gotten himself into. The meeting with the Lion samurai as Lord Shiba had mentioned just a short while ago seems to be a favorable place to start. He beings to fabricate a mental check-list of what he believes he would like to see for the guard, and at the same time, what he hopes to attain from this meeting with the Lion scholar.

Turning in side the office to face the barracks, Yamanosuke nods to Shin-san, and slides the door closed. He lets out a sigh, and looks for the stand to display and stow his armor. "I need a bath..." He begins out loud, then remembers where he is. Preparing himself for the rest of the day, he starts to unpack from his travels.
James
Shin bows as Yamanosuke closes the door, and sets off to ensure the tea requested is still on its way. 

The quarters allotted to the samurai commander of the garrison are comfortable, though presently unadorned. Simple futon on the far side, a small table, perhaps large enough for two to sit across from each other. An armor stand sits collecting dust, with a modest set of wooden chests for storage next to it.

Though bare, there is... Intentionality to the bareness. The attention to the need of negative space is present, but there is certainly room to make the space more to its occupant's preferences without crowding it.

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Treva
Yamanosuke moved to the armor stand, gazing around the room. He felt the weight of it - the station, the duty, the responsibility of it all- "Eihei Taicho..." He whispered to himself, drawing a finger across the helmet rest.

He placed his helmet on the stand. He took his gear from his travels and let it rest near the futon. While simple, intentional, the room did its best to be welcoming to the station. Yamanosuke grew to appreciate the stillness of the space -no distractions.

It reminded him of his tax-collector's office back home. No elaborate decoration, no distraction, only duty. A simple table and ledgers to update continually. It was an honorable role to play, but nothing a gravity-laden as other men's lives. He was willing and ready to serve his Clan in whatever capacity desired, but in this moment, he almost felt his ambition take hold.

A sharp intake breath to steady himself, Yamanosuke took to the chests in the room to take stock of what was left to him and what room he would have to his own. He began to unpack his traveling gear, and to loosen his armor. He would need this room tended to, just to remove any settling dust, and once he has had a bath and tea, he would begin his duty here.

A firm test of the futon, Yamanosuke untied his traveling shoes and finished removing his armor. He produced a simple kimono of orange woven fabric with yellow and white stiching. He didn't often wear such formal dress, but now as a 'Taicho' it was the best he had with him, and he felt it appropriate.

Once he was completely out of his armor and traveling clothes, he waited as patiently as he could for Shin's return. He searched for a crap of paper that he could possible use to practice his Origami. Having found none, he made it a mental note to be sure that Shin could bring some when he returned.

'Perhaps I should see to the grounds?' Yamanosuke thought to himself. Surely there was an archery dojo near. It always helped to clear his head while practicing kyujitsu...
James
Shin returned, carrying the tray with a teapot and single cup for his new commander. Carefully placing it on the small table, he proceeded to pour a cup and then offered a quick bow. "They were kind enough to give me a proper set to bring down for you, Asako-sama."

He stood at attention for a moment, allowing for Yamanosuke to take a seat if he so chose. "The reports have been simple enough, all things considered. We are a small security force intended to keep the peace for our Clan's embassy, both as supplement to the city's forces as well as to show that we are capable of defending our own granted holdings. Apart from the incident with the Unicorn, our garrison's duties have been remarkably uneventful." Shingou swallows, remembering. "Though that was enough of an event to wake us from our complacency."

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Treva
"Thank you, Shin-san." Yamanosuke sat, not just for his own comfort, but to help Shin feel more at ease. He wanted to build some repore with his subordinate 'commander' and putting him physically at ease seemed like a good idea to him.

"I am awaiting a correspondence from the Lion Clan. Please see alert me when that message or messenger arrives." Yamanosuke took a sip of his tea, first acknowledging the effort of Shin to acquire the set and the tea-leaves. It was of good quality; appropriate for the station.

"Tell me of the Unicorn incident. I feel I must be updated to such things, so please be aware that no shame should come to you while recounting the events of the past.

"I will go over these other reports and bring you my findings once I've had the opportunity to digest my findings."
James
"I will ensure that those on gate duty are well aware that any such message should be directed to your hands immediately." Shin snapped into a bow, reacting in a well-disciplined fashion to the order. 

"The Unicorn incident was... Brought about by the imprudent actions of a Shugenja that had arrived and sought to catch a thief with other esteemed samurai. He called on the spirits to summon the fury of the Heavens on a *Child.*" Shin's anger at the incident was evident, though he remembered himself and bowed again, sheepishly. "Apologies, Asako-sama. Though she was a thief, of course, the danger of such an action within the city was doubly... Unfortunate."

He cleared his throat and continued. "In any case, the lightning also sent a Unicorn samurai who had been in pursuit of the thief flying, though mercifully uninjured. He found healing for the girl, and wasted no time gathering a retinue of Unicorn samurai to come and demand justice at our gates."

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Treva
Yamanosuke took a moment to absorb Shin's words. 
"I trust this Shugenja has been dealt with and has had to answer for his actions. Let us speak no more of this incident. It doesn't seem to paint the Phoenix in the brightest of color palates.

"If there is anything more you feel I should know, I would be interested to hear it, Shin. Perhaps I will take stock of the grounds and observe any Ashigaru training procedures.

"I thank you for the tea."
Yamanosuke bowed, respectfully, gratefully. Looking to Shin-san to see his way out and leave the new captain to his newfound duties.
James
Shin nodded slowly. "He rides the waves now, that is all that need be said of him. The only thing I will add is that Ambassador-sama himself came out and addressed the wronged samurai himself. All seemed well at first, but when he perceived an implied threat, Ambassador Shiba-sama went from properly apologetic to firm. It was... Impressive to see." 

He paused again, giving a slight bow of apology. "Forgive me, I did not want to speak much further on the matter, but as you had requested further things you should know, that sprang to mind. Not much else out of the ordinary really stands out to me, Asako-sama."

Taking the hint, he bowed and stepped outside of the door to shut it for his commanding officer. "If there is anything else you need, let myself or one of the men know."

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