Akodo Yasuke was not the kind of woman to refuse the common courtesies simply because they were being offered by one of the bitterest traditional enemies of the Lion in all the Empire.  Yes, the Scorpion had a well-deserved reputation for ruthlessness, underhandedness, and treachery.  Yes, she was placing herself in the seat of their power, with nary a platoon of ashigaru to fight with.  And yes, she had every reason to believe that this was as much an information-gathering procedure on the part of her hosts as anything else.<br/><br/>But would she let that interfere with the most basic of common courtesies?  No.  She was a part of Akodo Shingo-sama's entourage, after all, and even the Scorpion would probably hesitate to murder a man and his retinue outright after inviting them all to a prestigious tournament.  No one would trust the lords of the hall with their brightest artisans and game-players if it were to happen.  Perhaps some daimyo might be inclined to such low cunning, but what she knew of Bayushi Shoju and his wife suggested she was safe.  For now.  If she continued to comport herself with the highest alertness.<br/><br/>Perhaps other Clans might flinch at such a trial, but she was a Lion, and an Akodo besides.  She would watch, adapt, and learn.<br/><br/>When the courtier made her appearance, Yasuke was conversing in low tones with one of the other members of Shingo's entourage, musing quietly about the other big names in Go who might still be on their way.