Daniel
When the young samurai arrives at the gates of the embassy of the crane, she does so alone on the last droplets of a rain. No yojimbo to appear big and tall, no retainers to carry her things, a paravent or umbrella. Not even a servant with spare sandals or a bundle. It's just the young woman in the russet furisode, wearing just a tiny accent of green in the obiage under the dark brown obi. The Wakizashi in its sheeth doesn't sport any decoration, though it is still the weapon of a samurai, if humble. The wagasa protecting her from the shower of rain that had fallen on the way is made from wicker and oiled paper, the only decoration on it a swirl of maroon painted onto the off-white paper. 

As she talks to the guard at the entrance, she offers them a scroll about the width of a foot. "I hope it does not hurt the feelings of the members of the high house of the Lady Doji to be presented with what was painted by someone that hasn't learned at the great school of the Kakita. Please present this to your masters and ask if they would meet a member of the fox in return."

The scroll shows a vague landscape in Sumi-E. The brush strokes that create the imagry were set careful. Black delicately was used at the start, feathering out into lighter grey and fading as more water was used for each stroke, before adding more ink for the next series. In the end, it became an almost classic image of cranes in swampland. In a twist the artist did add the vague outline of a fox' face hidden in the decorative reeds. ||Artisan: Painting (Animals) 4||

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Jennifer
When Kage saw the Mantis he was annoyed. Dealing with the Mantis could get messy and he hated being assigned to be the speaker there but we would do his job.

Kage wore his finest Blue Kimono and some light makeup which is a little odd but it worked and he held himself straight and tall.

"Greetings Mantis-sama. ***Bows*** I have been sent on behalf of the House of Doji as a representative. How may I help you?"

He was confused why they sent him. Generally he dealt with international affairs as most people in Ryoko Owari Toshi didn't trust Kage. He wondered if it was a test. Well whatever, he'll do his job.

"Also I feel I should say that the House of Doji is flattered by your gift. Even though it is not a Kakita piece it is still a very fine work. But we must kindly decline such a beautiful gift
Daniel
As she is brought to the room that Kakita Kage was waiting in, the young woman enters with an instant deep bow, her dark hair tied in a knot bobbing a little, a small streak escaping on her left. As he calls her Mantis, the left eyebrow jerks for a tiny moment. In reply, her eyes dart over the edge of the collar of her opposite, seeking for family crests before she answers the question by bowing again, deeper this time.

"I am honored that Kakita-sama sees this lowly Kitsune Meiko on such a short notice and without a letter to set up such a meeting."

As he offered first praise, but then a decline, the young woman gave a little wave to the image.

"Kakita-sama, the gift is my offer to the families of the Crane clan as a sign of appreciation to the leadership role they take in artistry. I hope you can accept the time I poured into it in an effort to emulate what your artists create."

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Jennifer
Kage was internally amused when Kitsune-san was surprised that he knew her Clan.

"As thoughtful as it is the Doji family cannot accept such a beautiful work. It's simply too much"

He loved etiquette but the gift process was always tedious. He studied her making sure she wasn't a threat.

"And it is lovely to meet you Kitsune-sama. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Kakita Kage, Crane Diplomat."
Daniel
Bowing a little deeper at the claim that her painting was too much to try and hide the little flush, Meiko slowly shakes the head.

"But Kakita-sama, I wish for you and the embassy to have it so you may find in its lack of skill what you miss about the works of the Kakita family so much more. In seeing my gift's errors from their superior ways, please, have it as an example how a fox tries to barely achieve what a new student at the Kakita academy surely does better."

Waiting for the acceptance, the young Kitsune stays bent some more moments before she straightens her back.

"While my own attempt of art may be far from the Kakita's greatness, I hope to at least have your ear when I ask a tiny favor in return and nothing more. It's really nothing of importance in the grand scheme, but in this town and province so devoid of lush forests but the few that were claimed by the spirits of the land. A lush grove, close to the city's walls and bearing trees of sakura would surely help alleviate the land's deficiency."

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Jennifer
"The Doji will humbly accept this fine gift. And I will be honest, if you hadn't told me otherwise, I would've assumed that you studied at my family's School. It's fine work."

Finally this tedious refusal thing is over. He handed the gift to a servant and told said servant to take it to the recipients. He remained stoic. His makeup stood out against the sun lighting up his skin through the windows. Strange for a male Crane much less a Crane official. 

"If you really have not trained at the Kakita School I would suggest you enroll sometime. Your skills would be of great value there. I learned there myself and can attest to that"
Daniel
"Thank you for the appraisal, but I doubt that I would be allowed to study at the great Crane schools as they are rebuilt, considering that I would be much older than those that attend them, and that as someone with the Gift I have other matters to tend to besides pouring my pasttime into arts."

Bowing humbly, Kitsune Meiko manages a tiny smile, such a difference to the Crane in her face without a speck of makeup.

"But maybe you might bring some of the beauty of those schools to here? The art of creating a garden grove is something that I heard is also taught, and the gardens of the Palace of the Doji are famed far and wide to have been the second most beautiful after those of the imperial city."

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