Eva
*Somewhere South of Ryoko Owari Toshi...*

In the height of Summer, Amaterasu's gaze beat down on a pair of cloaked figures on horseback as they traveled the countryside beyond the plateau where Kyuden Bayushi sat. There was scarcely a breeze and the pair soon stopped by a shallow near the road to let their horses water. 


"Oji-san, We can probably make it to Ryoko Owari before sundown if we press the horses a bit." The taller figure said, Pulling back his hood to show a luxurious mane of ebony silk. His face was fine and fair with sharp features and grey eyes. 

"I've heard the city's workings have been tottering since the Imperials arrived. And a few other interesting things. I-"

"Keep your Rumors to yourself, Junpei." A deep and sonorous voice softly chided as the second figured pulled his cloak back revealing an Older man, head full of greying hair and face well rugged and a scarred. He uncork His Bottle gourd and drank from it.

"We'll assess the situation in the city with our own eyes, and decide then how best to handle things. The last thing we need is any more embarrassments to the clan. We should arrive about an hour after nightfall. The roads should be fine that close to the city."

The younger man looked warily at his senior.
"If you insist. Come Kage." Junpei said pulling at the Horse's reins.
"Let's keep moving. This heat is wretched."

The older man scoffed as he re corked his bottle. The reasoning may be different but the young man was right. There's no time to waste.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Ryoko Owari Toshi - Shosuro Palace*


"See there, Junpei I told you, Just barely after nightfall." The old man said as he dismounted and a stableman took the steed

"It's Ne- *YAAAAAAWN* Arly sunrise." The young man said, rubbing his eye childishly. "We could've stopped at that lovely roadside inn."

"Absolutely not. A young noble shouldn't stay in such squalid accommodations "

"And neither should you, Ambassador-Sama." A womans voice pierced the conversation. A short figure stood at the top of a small flight of stairs wearing a mask resembling a hawk and a daisho sat comforably tucked into an black an red patterned obi at her hip.

"The preparations are made already though we weren't expecting you until a few days from now. I'll Have a bath drawn for you and a meal arranged." She stated.

"Thank you Ashi-san. Also send word to have all Scorpion in the city meet here in the palace tomorrow night for a formal address. Make note of those who don't attend. 

"Hai, Komori-sama." The woman said with a bow before heading back towards the palace.

"Let's get some rest Junpei, things will get very busy here soon." The Older man said, grinning under his red silk mask.

||
Corinne
Word spread quickly through the Shosuro Palace of a sudden summoning to meet. The Magistrate was surprised and intrigued, not hearing of any new scorpion coming to the city, as he took it upon himself to greet them. Rokugo Yuto had been preparing himself for the occasion, as he adorned himself in traditional scorpion colors. 

Wearing a black kimono and hakama, a blood red Haori draped over his garments. Tucking his personal Daisho into the dark obi, the Rokugo flicked his hair letting it fall and hang down on his clothing. He wrapped a silk red mask over the lower portion of his face, before putting on the more intimidating wooden mask. 

An early arrival was made to the meeting as he came into the main hall, where he'd await the other attendees. Yuto expected to see new and familiar faces, having a few suspicions on the nature of this meeting. The scorpion's efforts in the city have been errant since the loss of their governor, with various movements in authority. Perhaps they'd be organizing their ranks once more, hopefully something stable this time. If it weren't that, then this meeting might have been some prank to waste time. Having taken a seat as he waited, he kept a stoic posture. 

||
Jesus
Tomura smiled that morning, he awoke to Baka jumping on him and gently placed the cat off of him. He followed his usual, prayers to Bayushi, Jurojin, Sadahako, a morning bath, stretches, mixing his medicine with his morning tea. Today was an important day so he choose a simple crimson courtier robe, with a simple black scorpion tail on the back, last step to this ritual was fixing on his fox mask. 

The courtier was not one to make entrances, he simply slid into the room like a shadow and took his place, giving Yuto a nod once he found a corner to stand and lurk.

||
Herbert
Okita had been informed, through the thousand subtle ways a Palatine contingent had of informing its members, of the important event. Gracious, it would seem he was required to attend. 

He would attire himself more formally than usual, he supposed. An almost noh-like mask that covered the top half of his head, with long, drooping lapine ears and the mein of a rabbit. A longer haori, tailored and refined to accentuate grace. Yukata rather than a warrior's kimono and haori. All genteel things, evoking a festival or ceremonial occassion. The colors in dark black, plum reds, and the like, the colors of the clan and his family but hardly standing out.

He would drift into place behind the others, a fan dangling in his fingers as he made his way to sit among the receiving delegation. He mimed a studious yawn, and made himself as comfortable as he could. 

||
Bonnie
The little killer was not going to stand about while she waited for their new overlord to grace them with his presence. She hated the idea of making small talk, especially with Yuto out there, so she found an alcove and settled down on a cushion. She was in Manami's finest, the effect rather that of a rose just atarting to bloom with a naked woman nestled at the center of the petals. The outfit was risqué, but surprisingly secure. She had her hair piled up and securely pinned so she could bow without anything slipping. 

The book she was reading had been recommended to her by a Seppun librarian, a series of poems about the proper way to go about cutting people, and she was thoroughly enjoying it. Already she was planning on how to write her own commentary on the subject. As always her wounded arm was drawn inside her outermost layer, the sleeve neatly rolled and pinned. 

She wore no mask, as was her custom, but a scrap of silk was tucked into her obi. If this new ambassador made a very good first impression she would don the mask once more. Otherwise she would remain aloof. 

The alcove had a screen partially drawn, but she was exposed enough that she could see any who arrived. Already there was a new face or two. The Yogo she had heard of but never met—she wanted to test him in the dojo. 

Beside her, concealed among the pile of cushions, Tori knelt in a full bow position, patiently awaiting her mistress's desires. 

||
Jose
Kiyo was many things. Antisocial, athletic, obtuse, a real clean freak, and a few other things. None of those were the reason why she was here. She was diligent, and as such, could not miss a summons like this. Unfortunate, since she really had no desire to face any authority, but this was not up to her.

She assumed that she was meant to wear some of her more formal clothes having not really read the invitation, but this quality of paper implied quite a bit, and redressed herself quickly after completing her daily duties. It was a rather simple kimono, unpatterned as was her preference, but she would wear the color that struck her fancy today, which was burnt siena. Maskless as always, gloved as always, and scarfed as always, Kiyo certainly was dressed better than her usual outfit given the lack of ink stains on this kimono. At the very least, this outfit was either very new or never used.

She arrived and scanned the room, not difficult as she stood higher than most, and found a few familiar faces. She made a conscious effort to avoid them and any threat of conversation. She found a mostly empty sitting area and took a seat, awaiting the point here. She hoped this would be quick, so she could be elsewhere tonight.

||
Pablo
Ukagahiko, wearing the old formal clothing he inherited from his great-grandfather from his paternal grandmother, the bright yellows and dark reds made to form a fiery peony and camellia Iro-montsuki pattern, the mons of both the Kitsu family and the Rokugo family on the back. Wearing the same old metal and wooden Tesso Somen mask gained from his gempukku, the patch work of wood and metal to try and fix the aging mask, the smell of old iron, rust and rotting wood permeates the middle aged man. 

Letting his natural Bronze-gold hair flow, his deep orange eyes piercing through the eyeholes of old mask. Looking around the hall, bringing in a large mail satchel he is using to hold many documents and his "Pillowbook", he locates a seat and patienty waits.

||
Eva
"Thank you all for coming." A deep voice echoed, announcing a man walking out into the Main hall where most of the Scorpion were gathered. In the light of the room, The man wore his greying hair down, sitting between his shoulder blades. A couple of locks rested in front of his deep red kimono with a red and black checker pattern along the edge. His measured steps rang out into the hall as he scanned the room to meet the eyes of all in attendance. "I'm sure you all were busy with other matters so your attendance on such short notice is appreciated. Let us begin, shall we?" He says, motioning to both his side as two more masked samurai come to his side to flank him. 

"Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Shosuro Komori. I have been tasked by Bayushi Yojiro-sama to bring an order and dignity back to this place that has been sorely lacking as of late. My lieutenants, Bayushi Junpei-san and Soshi Ashi-san, will be relaying information to me and advising me on how to best achieve that. You may have seen Ashi-san around town this last week or so. She has been collecting whispers about town and getting a lay of the land. I would ask a volunteer for myself with such matters. I also wish to make my presence known to the other ambassadors and have them recognize there is new leadership amongst us." 

"That being said, I wish to tell you plainly-" He began as he reached to remove the mask showing the entirety of his scarred visage for those in attendance to see. "While I'm... *Ambassador*, we will work tirelessly to bring the Clan back to its proper place here. We have taken back our city time and again, and this time will be no different."

Komori took a moment to reaffix his mask before continuing. "I'll be asking all of you to report to me over the next month to discuss your role in attaining our ultimate goal here. Are there any questions?"
||
Corinne
As the scorpions introduced themselves, the Magistrate remained silent. Paying attention as Shosuro Komori spoke, as the man suspected he'd be the new Ambassador. While he had many expectations to live up to, if their lord Bayushi Yojiro appointed him, Yuto had no choice but to follow. Eyeing Junpei and Ashi beneath his mask, the new Ambassadors advisors had their tasks acquiring information. Perhaps they knew of his past efforts within the palace.. 

"While acquiring Ryoko Owari Toshi under our clan's governance is the ultimate goal, I take it you've observed the recent standing of the clans residing within the city. Have you already begun formulating a plan, Ambassador-sama?"

Yuto simply asked the obvious question, he wanted them to report to him and determine their future roles. One could only assume the man had a vision. 

"I've some opportunities to report if you haven't already been given the information. While our position and face in the city has dwindled, endeavors with the Phoenix and Lion have shown positive results we can pursue. Since you've been assigned as our Lord, it's only right you seize control due to having the proper authority." 

He spoke in a meek tone as always, speaking a little louder for those in the room to hear. Hoping his openness would allow for others with anything to share to do so. 

||
Edward
Hiromi would have shown right on time, but as always she tried to make herself unnoticed. She had information to share in regard of the future of the clan, but surely the less person aware of those kind of dealing, the better. She might have already done a mistake by speaking so openly about it before. 

Due to the nature of the reception she would have traded her travel cloth for a pretty elegant kimono, typical of those used by Shugenja. Her mask was don, and she just listened with utmost attention the word of Komori. She wouldn't speak out loud either when he ask about question, she had some but regarding her situation and the crowd, maybe it wasn't the best moment and place to ask them.
Pablo
Ukagahiko stands slowly, walking slowly towards the Ambassador he bows. As he begins to speak " Greetings Ambassador Shosuro, I am Bayushi no Rokugo Ukagahiko, I wish to inform you that I have a trade deal being planned with the Crab clan, I have the document planned to be given to them prepared, if you are wanting to look at the pre-edited version. However I daresay the document will change during the negotiations."

Looking through his satchel bag he pulls a contact from it. "I have also included some lines for the sake of diplomacy for them to reduce the price of their obligations, however they are only if the Crab clan accepts them as otherwise the discounts will not apply. If you or anyone wish to add anything to the contract I am willing to speak with them. But so far all that is on the contract seems reasonable to me"
||
||
Herbert
The Yogo in the rabbit mask declined to comment for the moment. Several people seemed to be talking at once, and sharing various ideas and notions. What had a newly arrived painter to contribute to such discussions?

Instead, Okita focused on listening to the others as they shared plans, questions, and ideas. In particular he focused on this Bayushi Junpei person.

The ambassador had mentioned the role that Soshi Ashi would be playing, but had declined to specify what place Junpei had in things. What might this person be up to?

Unconsciously he began to compose the scene in his head. Move the magistrate a little to the left, put Junpei further back in the scene, perhaps in some ambiguous shadows... The painting was coming together in his head already. 

||
Jesus
Tomura continued to stand and watch silently, any words he'd say to Shosuro-sama, he'd wait for the report. Instead he focused on those in attendence, Yuto-san is the first to speak it seems, not too surprising, a brow raised under his mask at the revelation of another Rokugo, his head cocked at the mention of a trade deal with the Crab... Prehaps he should approuch and offer aid if needed. For now he simply took out his fan and lighting fanned himself, watching the new act of the play set itself, anticipating his coming role.
Jose
Kiyo looked over her new leader. She'd certainly served worse, and at the very least this one actually seemed to have some discipline. It seemed the Shosuro had appointed someone good. It was hard to do worse though. The predecessor was a man of schemes, most hairbrained, and none well though due to his impulsiveness. It's men like Orochi ruling that made Kiyo a slight unbeliever in the system. A system she would one day rule in. Any system that she would by her birthright be a leader in had to be terrible, anyway.

Kiyo would speak up, seemingly unusual given her personal preferences, but she were a tool of the Scorpion here first and herself second. She would address the new ambassador with her questions directly. "While I have few doubts that this... *Situation*... Of imperial governance will be nothing more than a temporary situation, and even less doubts that within 5 years this city be back in rightful hands, what would be some good initial steps to take?"
Eva
As several scorpion began to ask their questions, Komori's smile showed plainly on his face even though his mask hid his lips. This is exactly what he was looking for during this introduction. Those who wished for clarity, a purity of purpose. A Goal can unify the fracture that has formed here in the city and he would need some to help resolve this and this step towards that goal will be the first of many.

Komori turned to the large Bayushi first. " Of course, Bayushi-san. We will be working to ensure we are seen as the clan best suited to retake ownership of the city. Details won't be discussed at the moment but during your meetings since most of you will be working on different tasks and should those tasks intersect, Be sure not to overreach. We all have jobs to do and it will do us no good to interfere in our separate affairs. Understand?" He nodded to the man before moving to the smaller Bayushi and accepting the Document. He glanced it over and handed it to Ashi.

"We will revise this in 1 week I need to do some research before we submit anything formal to the Crab However if you wish to discuss the deal in generalities that should suffice. " Ashi said, Matter-of-factly before retuning the document to the Ukagahiko.

Komori nodded before move to answer the Tall priestess. "As a priestess, it will serve well to perform your duties and keep spiritual disturbances to a minimum. As a whole, we should work to build up trust and goodwill within the city again. That will mean finding common ground with the samurai of this city as they seem to have low expectations and esteem for Us, more so than usual. We must work diligently to reestablish that trust. It is our most valued currency."

If none others have questions, You may leave at your leisure. Messages will be sent soon for you summons back here. Fortunes' Grace.
||
Herbert
At the mention of building trust, Okita would raise a languid hand. He'd wait patiently for the noble lord's attention, and then speak in his soft voice.

"On the matter of trust, the first step toward such is a chance to talk where nothing of importance matters. Spending time together in amiable inconsequentiality, as it were."

He'd shift his attention and look toward some of the decorations about the room. "To which end, might I propose an artistic salon or showing? Gather up some ikebana, painted works, lovely crafts, and invite our esteemed colleagues from other clans to look on what we have to offer, and perhaps even take with them what pieces catch their eyes, purely in the spirit of goodwill and generosity freely offered? Nothing so crass as charity, gifts, or bribes, but rather a desire to share beauty and fellowship with our dear, beloved fellow samurai?"

||
Corinne
As the man spoke Yuto simply sat still and listened. Unwavering in his stoicism as the Ambassador answered his question by not answering his question. All the clans' significant agents were here, now was the perfect time to discuss matters. Though it seemed this meeting was solely to introduce himself, and softly scold the Rokugo. Keeping things in confidence was fine, rather than contest the decision he'd simply remain silent. Nodding. Soon he'd simply fade into the background as the others would speak, producing their own ideas and questions. 

Kiyos question essentially received the same treatment as his own, he wondered if Okitas offer would face the same. It was clear Shosuro Komori had just arrived after receiving his position, needing time to decipher the state of the city and formulate a plan. 

When they were all dismissed, the Rokugo was the first to stand up. Looking to the new ambassador. 

"After you settle in Ambassador-sama, I'll bring my report of the meeting we conducted with the Phoenix. Their ambassador Shiba Iemon-sama wishes for a follow up, I'll do my part in ensuring it's without stress you two convene. — If that is all Ambassador-sama, congratulations on your position, and welcome to the city."

After he bowed once more, being the first to depart the room. 

||
Eva
"I see no harm in it." Komori said to the young courtier, rubbing his chin under his mask. "Perhaps it may interest other clans to also take part in. In the spirit of sociability, as it were. I'll leave it to your capable hands to coordinate such a gathering. Junpei will also be available if you require assistance." 

*Investigation 3*:|| The young man stiffened at the mention of his name.||

"Of course, Shosuro-sama. I am sure to help in any efforts you need, Yogo-san." Junpei said, a pleasant smile searing through his half-mask.
||
Jesus
Tomura raised a brow under his mask as he watched the scene played out, but kept his smile. He had nothing to add to this act and he'll speak to the ambassador when his time comes. The couriter simply faded to the background, when he leaves it will be as it was when he entered, silent and of little consequence.
Herbert
The Yogo would bow forward from his seat, knuckles to the floor, posture still indifferently languid. "Shosuro-sama is too kind. I shall be delighted to have Bayushi-san'sguidance in this matter."

From there he would rise. "With your gracious permission, we shall depart to order our plans. I shall with all diligence establish a plan my lord may review when he summons me to our meeting."

And indeed, with another deep and studiously correct bow, the Yogo would depart for his quarters, apparently of the opinion Junpei could follow immediately, or find his own way there if he had other business in the meantime.

||
Jose
Kiyo did not hesitate to leave once they were dismissed, she had done her due diligence by showing up and if there was no further need, she was more than happy to reclaim the rest of this time as her own. So that's what she did. It was hard to miss the priestess stand and leave, not only were she quite tall but she also was a bit broad, and this room was a bit crowded. She was happy to be free of it. That said what would she do now? While she would like to stimulate her mind by visiting the archives, her gut had a different plan.

Food it was, then.
Bonnie
Kaori had remained silent throughout the discussion. While she had risen and come to the group, she remained wairy. Like a beast of the forest who has avoided the hunter's arrows thus far yet still circles, she was intent on her goals but wary and mistrustful of any new leadership. She watched the new ambassador intently, studying his hands and the way he moved and balanced. The lieutenants were also worthy of close examination. What sorts of people would the ambassador choose to surround himself with? 

She needed to meet with the ambassador, but later, in a more intimate and less formal setting. Perhaps over tea somewhere. 

||