Kiriko stifled a tiny giggle behind one hand; a breach of decorum, perhaps, but a sign that the rigors of training as a shugenja hadn't slain her adolescence completely. "My friends," she protested, gently. "Your humility does you much credit, but this is no mere gift to be refused three times out of custom. You would never have been summoned here were you unworthy."<br/><br/>She stood in a whisper of crimson silks, and let her gaze roam from assembled samurai to assembled samurai. "Kakita Sayomi. You have dedicated your life to mastering the sword, have you not? Would you not lend the Empress your arm? And you, Kitsune Tsuke -- do you not imagine Emerald Magistrates may travel to, perhaps, the Shinomen Mori on our Empress' behalf? Do you not think your skills useful to help guard the Empress' roads, and those who travel upon them?"<br/><br/>She gestured to her<i>yojimbo</i>once more, and the man sketched a bow before withdrawing silently through a pair of silding doors. But Kiriko went on. "What of Bayushi Michi? Shall the Empire not benefit from your cleverness and discretion? Or from Suzume Sanjuro's unflinching modesty and attention to duty? Or from Ide Sabu's web of connections and understanding of commerce?" Finally her eyes fell on Daigotsu Tomomi; without naming the samurai, she suggested, "And were a Spider to dispense the Empress' justice and mercy, would it not do much to help demonstrate loyalty?"<br/><br/>"Please, my friends," she concluded. "You are not merely chosen; you are needed."<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>