Sam
*The road had honestly been long and in truth, he was lucky he had been allowed to roam free of Dragon lands again since every time he did so the clan had had to send several samurai to locate him and bring him home when they required him, on top of being a shugenja Takamori was painfully aware of how lucky he was that the clan did not designate him to a temple and stick him there, he suspected they probably would if they didn't believe he'd make a run for it the first chance he got. His journey through the dragon lands had been pleasant enough, though he had a reputation for being slightly lazy he did have the love of and respect of his clan. However much of that came from Takamori himself and however much came from his being a Shugenja was hard to say, he stopped in what few dragon villages he passed by and played with children, conducted funerary rites, and saw to it that the shrines were in proper order and that the kami were at peace, truth be told he knew as far as Dragon Shugenja went he was an oddity as he was closer to the air and water kami than he was to fire, still even the air and water provided life up here in the mountains and so he was as much essential as the next Shugenja and all the rarer due to his affinity. When they passed through the Unicorn lands he had ensured they stopped at Hyōzenshō as a token of goodwill to the Unicorn Clan, he knew the outpost was remote and made sure to fill in and assist in any roles the outpost may have needed of Shugenja had their own Shugenja been preoccupied or not present at the remote outpost. Once he had paid the necessary respects to the Battlemaidens and the Unicorn Clan as a whole he had traded for items and supplies and said his proper farewells before continuing to the lands of the Crane. He had passed through the City Of Rich Frog in the Crane lands where he had visited the famed Kakita artists, his yojimbo found themselves quite unable to persuade him away from visiting a dojo*

*That housed not only master swordsmen but also art famed across Rokugan, he had also gambled in a nearby Geisha house and insisted that he and his guards take in the performance of the geisha. After the performance, he had thanked the Geisha for her performance by paying for her meal and the pleasure of enjoying her poetry. His Yojimbo seemed eager to be away from the city though Takamori found it quite humorous, when he traveled alone he often took the role of a guard as his school had trained him as much in swordcraft as it had the mysterious ways of the kami, so his own guardsmen's concern for him was humorous at best annoying at the worst still he knew that arriving in the company of his own Yojimbo was as much for show as a necessity as he passed through the Rokugani wilderness. He stopped and drank with travelers, prayed with wandering monks, and at one point almost drowned with a female kunoichi who had been guarding a stretch of road he had decided to take much to the dismay and disapproval of his Yojimbo. Still, he had arrived in Ryoko with a smile on his face while his Yojimbo grumbled and eyed the man like they wanted to clobber him ( though they dare not let the look be known to the shugenja himself. ) he found himself rushed through the city and almost pushed, as much as decorum would allow, by his Yojimbo all the way to the Dragon Embassy, the doors flung open and Takamori was as much tossed into the Embassy as he was escorted before his Yojimbo hurriedly shut the doors and breathed a sigh of relief glad to be rid of the wandering shugenja. Inside the Embassy Takamori was resplendent, he had bathed, his hair combed, his robes immaculate as he had known he would be presented to the Dragon Clan representative here in Ryoko. He slid his hands into the sleeves of his haori jacket and quietly walked through the Embassy in search of an attendant*
Charles
The young man decided to make his way around here. He was wondering what to do as he gives a soft sigh. He had a few errands to do that he was finishing up as he smacked on some melon pan. The fresh pastry was delicious and had the perfect chewing consistency. He gives a sigh of relief as the crane decides to take a break. He still needed to deliver some important letter to some dragon clan member. He held the letter that he was suppose do deliver a letter tot the dragon embassy. Man he always felt out of place in these sort of places where he felt like a sore thumb. He would enter the embassy noticing how it looked the same as always. He gives a soft sigh as he went to track someone down until he found someone. "Oh excuse me, dragon-San." He called out.
Sam
*The shugenja paused noticing a man who appeared to him as though he may be from the crane, how strange it was to encounter any outside the Dragon here, though it was a embassy he recalled, he looked about from side to side making sure the crane had addressed him and not another before he noticed the embassy was woefully understaffed it seemed and in the middle of construction. The Dragon had sent him here to see to the spiritual needs of the Dragon but it seemed they may have more need of a architect than a shugenja. Still keeping his manners about him Takamori bowed respectfully to the crane and smiled softly* "I am relieved to know that I am not the only soul who dwells within these halls"
Charles
The young crane gives a small smile as he held a few letters addressed to other embassies. He gives. A small smile at the unknown dragon wondering who he was. He gives a small smile. "Oh that's nice. Is this place usually hauntingly quiet? Do you have ghosts here?" He asked with a small smile crossing his arms. "So Umm I have a few letters to deliver to the embassy? Can I trust you won't lose it?" He asked. "I don't think my crane can will like me losing all of it,dragon-san ." He said rubbing the back of his head. He gives a small smile as he had the packet of letters meant for the crane. He had no idea of the context of the letters.
Sam
*He smiled at the mention of ghosts and looked down the hallways, his voice was gentle and calm speaking with he air and water Kami had taught him the value of composure* " I believe every place is haunted with the echos of those who invested in them, few men leave this world without gifting an echo of who they were.. I would argue many of the arts in Rokugan are ghosts of your great clan." *He smiled bowing his head respectfully* "Forgive my rudeness, I am Agasha Takamori shugenja of the Dragon." *He eyed the letters for a moment and gestured down the hallway for the crane to follow as they talk* " I am sure there is some sake about somewhere would you join me?"
Charles
He'd hear the almost calm creepy voice say every place is haunted. He gives a go bearing about the kami as he would give a nod. "I guess that makes total sense." He would run the back of his head. He heard bud introduction hearing who he is. "I'm Daidoji Adohiro. I work at the court magistrate, I work as a yoriko sorta." He said. "Sake? Sure." He said. "I'm not a huge fan of some of them but I'll try them." He smiled. He was surprised he invited him despite how baby-faced he looked.
Sam
" Ah that's the spirit!!!" *Takamori smiled seemingly quite pleased to have found a drinking companion, he looked about slowly before whispering to himself, and almost instinct turned into one of the rooms and returned shortly after with a bottle in hand* " I believe it is a sin to go through this life without enjoying fine sake." *He led the way to a hole in the wall where the embassy was still being constructed so that they could see the sky before removing his sake set from his pack and pouring them both a cup as he smiled to the Daidoji* " A magistrate you say, ah your family must be very proud to have one so accomplished represent them here" *He raised his cup and smiled* "To family and high accomplishment"
Charles
He gives a small smile as he would seem pleased with his agreement to drink sake. He saw him get a bottle and he heard his phrase of it being a sin. That sounded odd. The boy soon sat down seeing the sake set. "Thank you, Takamori-San." He said. He'd hear his statement and he gives a nod. "I guess they are. The crane clan have treated me well." He spoke as he also raised his cup smiling. "Well your job sounds cool too." He said with a small smile as he'd try the sip. He frowned at the bitter taste but tried to not let it snow.
Sam
*Takamori smiles at the Daidoji as he looked at his glass* " The kami have been my oldest friends and my first teachers, for me they sound as clear as your voice does now. It was strange at first when I was a child.. Able to hear beings that no one else seemed aware of... I believe my father thought I was mad at first" *He looked up and smiled noticing Adohiro's reaction* "Ah ha! Yes I fear it's an acquired taste perhaps when you are free of your duties we can visit the tea houses. So tell me how a man comes to represent the Crane here in the city of green walls"
Charles
He'd hear his statement about the kami , it sounded like he was being haunted. "That don't s scary." He said as he heard his father thought he was mad which he didn't blame him. "Thank goodness I don't hear that stuff, I don't think I could sleep." He said. When he heard about it being an acquired taste he gives a nod. "It certainly is. Too bitter for my taste buds." He spoke. "Sure the teahouse sounds good." He smiled. "Oh well I'm just delivering letters. No idea what they entail but I guess it's important since I was told to not peek." He shrugged. "Not that I cared to anyways. Probably boring political gibberish
Sam
*He smiled as his lips hovered just another the vessel containing the shimmering sake* "I fear I never had the aptitude for politics or court, the whole business always seemed to bland for my liking, though i have been told I'm here as the appointed shugenja for my clan within Ryoko so I am sure the waves of court will wash upon my shores in due time."
Charles
He gives a nod hearing he didn't have a aptitude for politics. He gives a nod understanding what he said. "The upper cranes never tell me anything going on usually unless I'm lucky to be part of the thingy." He said. "So you've never handled court matters?" He asked.
Sam
*He snickered throwing his head back as it turned to sheer unbridled laughter before resting the cup back on the stone* " Nooo I fear not most shugenja training takes place in the wild far from civilization, your only companions are the kami and your sensei. When I returned I often made a great effort to sneak out to the geisha houses and kabuki theatres rather tha worry who was plotting what. I believed that if there was war I'd fight in it either way, and for that and all other matters the answer would always be the same. The kami." * He extended his hand offering to take the letters*
Charles
He'd hear the en Oleg ad he gives a small glance over hearing him talk about the training. He gives a nod hearing he snuck off. "Did you ever get caught? Sometimes I use to sneak out when I was younger to have fun in the city." He smiled happily. He'd hear about the Kano as he gives a nod. "That's interesting." He handed the stack of letters that he had. "Here they are." He smiled.
Sam
*He shook his head softly* "There were few places to sneak away to in Shinomen Mori, the forest is home to many spirits and some creatures which are far from human, even if I had managed to sneak away from sensei I fear my options were woefully short." * He took the letters and stepped inside one of the offices of the dragon magistrate leaving them on the table next to the calligraphy sets required of the magistrates before rejoining the Daidoji* " I would recommend we not linger here lest the construction committees find uses for us, is there somewhere within the city you are fond of?"
Charles
He chuckled when he heard his running away was often short. It seemed he did get caught form it. He gives a nod seeing him take the letters and soon dropping it off on a table. He shrugged wondering where they could go. "We could go to the river?" He asked smiling. "It's a nice place there." He smiled.
Sam
*He looked out to the city once again tucking his hands into the opposite slices of his haori jacket and smiled at the prospect* " A fine idea! I am sure the City Of Stories has beautiful scenes upon the river, I trust you to lead the way." *He gestured for the Daidoji to lead on as he extended a hand toward the city*
Charles
"Alright let's go He gives a nod hearing the city of stories had beautiful scenes which he agreed with. He gives a nod as he would start to lead the way. He'd go by a shortcut however which was a way different than what you usually came. He was use to this way, he felt it was faster too and he knew the back alleys pretty well.
Sam
*He followed close behind placing his bamboo jingasa over his head quietly as he followed closely, weaving g his way in and out of the alleyways behind the Daidoji*
Charles
He would soon find the place after they took the quick shortcut. He gives a glance over at Takamori. "We're here." He gives a small smile as he would see the landscape before him. "We're here." The crane announced seeing the pretty river on the side.
Sam
*Takamori lifted his jingasa before staring out across the river with a smile spread across his face as eyes traced the body of the great river seeing how its serpentine form carressed the shore mine as he felt the pull of air and water Kami nearby* "Oh... Such beauty" *He smiled to the Daidoji* " You must have had the fortunes watching over you to have been brought here... Does your clan use this river for merchant purposes by chance?"
Charles
He would give a smile heeeind him compliment the river. He gives an glance over at it curious. He then heard bud question and he shrugged. "Mahbe a few but I don't really know." He said. "I don't really pay attention to that sort of thing." He chuckled as he crossed his arms.
Sam
"It would definelty be a good spot for meditation the peace about this area is unquestionable" *He began walking along the river bank extending his hand as his feet fell into place while he eyes the shimmering surface of the waters* "Have you been given a home Daidoji?"
Charles
He gives a glance giving a nod. "It would be a great mediation." He spoke with a small smile. He then heard his question about a home which he gives a nod. "Of course. I'm not homeless." He said.
Sam
*He paused turning over his shoulder as he smiled* " I was unsure if the magistrate were given homes or their own dwellings with the embassies, I suspect that it could be quite dangerous here if one were not careful given the animosity with the lion." * He stared off toward the ripples of sunlight against the water* " I suspect my own life may be laid on the line with so many clans convening in one city, such seems to be the way of the celestial wheel."
Charles
He gives nod finding it interesting that he asked this question. "I don't mind other clan members as long as they're nice." Hr spoke as he glanced at the river that rumbled softly as it rolled on top of the rocks. "Ill protect you if needed." He offered. "I don't know if any dark plots, but I think we should be fine ." He said.
Sam
*The crane's offer of protection was heartwarming though unneeded, though a shugenja Takamori was a samurai first and foremost and that meant one day his end would come in service to his clan and cause. To pray for anything different was the same as praying for the sun would not rise or set or that the seasons would never change. He crouched down next to the river dipping his hand into the surface as watched the ripples expand from his fingers across the stream* "When there is a storm and it destroys homes, flips ships, and ends lives you do not say the storm was evil or mean... It acted in accordance with its nature and unfortunately, lives were lost. So it is with the clans, it is not cruelty it is merely the way of the celestial wheel." *He looked out down the river smiling softly before tipping his jingasa back down* " If you or your clan ever need someone versed in the kami I ask you do not be afraid to find yourself at my doorstep."
Charles
The young crane gives a nod examine the pretty river and the smaller streams that trickled around the river. He would take off his shoes to let his water be dipped in the cold water. He soon heard him talk about the celestial wheel which he didn't think he ever heard of that. He gives a small glance over. "Oh sure. I'm sure we might need an expert in kami stuff." He smiled softly.
Sam
*Takamori began to follow the stream upriver eyeing the different people he was curiously aware that some of the low castes seem to socialize freely with upper-class samurai, he raised his brow at this but said nothing, he assumed the Crane was behind him and likely more adjusted to the comings and goings of Ryoko than he was* " I ask you not hold it against me but I am a bit of a black sheep among my family where most Dragon Agasha is endowed with the affinity for earth and fire kami I fear I was always more partial to the air and water ... An oddity of my clan I am lead to believe, do crane magistrates have any specialties?"
Charles
He walked the path of the stream upriver as he would see multitude of different people. He soon heard him say he was a black sheep and soon asked if Crane clan had any specialist. "Well we have specialist , but I don't know much of what they do." He said. "I'm like the last person to get gossip." He chuckled.
Sam
*He paused checking the waters for any blockages in the current knowing something as inconsequential as a branch on the side of the rivers was enough to annoy the water kami, and such things were best tended to immediately so that larger issues did not present themselves later.* "I see, I passed through Rich Frog on my way here... Your Clan is quite hospitable I was stricken with a deep sorrow I was not allowed to stay and study art underneath a school, but I fear my clan felt it necessary to push quickly here. Is Ryoko usually so quiet? It seems quite sleepy at the moment, perhaps we should find ourselves a kabuki theatre I haven't seen a decent jidaimono in quite some time." *He looked up at the city not quite trusting the silence of a city that much to the disliking of many he was sure carried the name " City of Lies"*
Charles
He'd glance at the water not noticing there was any blockage, then again he wasn't searching due that kind of stuff at all. He didn't know much about water Kami at all though, only a bit here and there. He heard his clan was hospitable which he gives a nod. "I believe for the most part we are." He gives a small smile. When he heard him ask if Ryoko was quiet, he gives a nod. "I fee like it usually is unless you go to the main areas." He said. "Sure we can head to a Kabuki theatre." He stated. Hr wondered if there would be any interesting play there.
Sam
*"An excellent idea!!!" *Takamori beamed as he spotted a bridge and pointed at it immeidatly* " Ah look there the Fortunes smile upon us, perhaps if we hurry we can catch the opening acts!!!" *Without wasting an moment to even draw a breath Takamori took off fast as he could at full sprint, giddy as a child at the prospect of a kabuki play as he charged up the side of the embankement toward the bridge leading deeper into the heart of Ryoko*
Charles
He gives a small nod seeing him point out the bridge where a lot of people where bumbling over. He grinned softly as he raced to after him. "Wait up." He grinned as he would skid a bit as he would see they were in the heart of Ryoko. "I forgot how busy this place gets when there's a theatre play."
Sam
* A lifetime in the mountains had taught Takamori grace and balance as she bounded up the slope with apparent ease before pausing at the top to await the Crane his overeagerness and excitement for the play had lead him to even forget he was in Ryoko let alone within company, he held a hand out in case the Crane was not as accustomed to uphill slopes. Once near the theatre the Dragon paused to admire the actors as he placed his hands together in an almost childish glee * " I have not been to a proper kabuki performance in sometime, it has been much to long!"
Charles
The crane would see the uneven slip and he saw the dragon had went down with ease. He saw him offer his hand and he'd take it as he slid down in a safe manner. "Thank you." He smiled softly as he would hear he hadn't been to one in a while. "Me too. I think the last time I came to one was when I was a child." He said.
Sam
* He picked licking his way through the crowd listening to gossip and word of the actors, much of a kabuki's troop's skill could be ordained from gossip of the theatre , he kept his hands tucked inside the sleeves of his haori as he carefully picked his way through the crowds*
Charles
He followed closely behind him as he likens around. He heard a few gossip here and there but it didn't interest the young crane. He would glance at Takamori. "Let's sneak to the front row seats." He whispered.
Sam
*By the end of the performance the dragon's seat would have been found to be empty, at what time he slipped away no one would likely be able to say ( Air kami lol ) however in his seat would be a charm inviting the Crane to call upon the dragon should he ever need the services of a shugenja *
Charles
The young crane during the play soon saw the dragon was gone! His seat was empty but he soon saw a charm. Surprised he picked it up and studied it. He would start to examine it quietly smiling. "Woah." He said as he would put it in his pocket for safekeeping.