Phoenix Clan Embassy

[tadakasan]

*comes in with his simple clothes and bag, his journal strapped to the outside. He bows low to Matashi* I have received your letter Matashi-dono. It is an honor to be written by such an esteemed figure while I am simply a humble wanderer staying in your lands. *raises up* Your gift to me was too gracious; that they were given to you for a purpose makes me humbled to be the end that purpose, though I can find no fault with you saying they would be going to someone who walks much of my time.

Taikan-san has presented me with the room and board that was offered and it is much appreciated; I was already staying in your lands, and your hospitality will make my stay much more comfortable and I hope it allows me to better help your esteemed Clan.

I have a gift of my own, though I could never dream to imagine the magnitude of your own gift. *the short-cut haired man takes something from his bags and hold it out in his hands, bowing his torso towards the ground* Always, during my travels, I have carried this nerumai, an object that has been in my family since my ancestor Isawa Tonshu was given it by the Master of Earth at the time. It is a simple object; it may look like an egg made of glass, but when you hold it to your eye and close the other you can see in even the darkest room as though it was lit by moonlight. Since I do not travel in dark places and have the kami to light my way, I believe my ancestor would approve of you having this item. *holds it out respectfully*

[Bayushi Matashi]

Your presence in this court honors me and my family. It is truly exciting to have a master shugenja from the clan of magic in our home. I am amazed by this magical gift you present to me, but I could never accept something of such wonder. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, you have the freedom of my servants and I will provide you with access to our finest geisha houses at no charge.

Please, feel free to seek me out if you ever have anything to discuss, I will grant you any audience you desire. Please take advantage of our comforts and perhaps I will seek you out to arrange private lessons on the way of the kami; if that would be acceptable to you.

*nods head in deference*

Hopefully as the weeks progress, you will still be here when we are host to wonderful celebrations; I hope that you will accept this invitation.

[tadakasan]

I thank you for your kind words Bayushi-sama, though I am not sure I am worthy of being called a master Shugenja. I am most honored by your request to teach you however, and I will most willingly share what I do know of the ways of the kami; I believe knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted, and it is the least I can do considering all the Yogo and Soshi have taught me during my stay in these lands.

I would truly insist upon the gift; as wonderous as it may be it is a bauble in many ways, and you have proven by far more than worthy of it as a host and through your generosity to one outside the Scorpion such as myself. Afterall, I have done nothing to deserve the priviledge of being able to have such audiences and free reign to go about my work, nor am I a person of any power or status. So I would thank you from the bottom of my soul and am at your service.

[Bayushi Matashi]

There is much more to power than political appointment. You are, according to my research, as masterful a shugenja as has been seen in Scorpion lands in over a generation. There can be no denying the glory you bring to my family and the honor you do to us by performing your craft in our lands.

I am prideful that you have been able to learn and teach amongst our Shugenja families, I have many close friends in the Soshi and the Yogo families, and know that they would be trtuly honored for you to meet with them.

I appreciate your insistence, and in many ways it is a bauble as you suggest; but there are many baubles that have been the cause of war, of marriage, and of exaltation. A bauble such as the one you have presented to me is truly more than it meager appearance. I, once again, am truly honored by your offer, but could not accept such a magnificent gift; I would feel that this marvel would go to waste in my possession for I am ignorant in the ways of magic and of the Kami.

I look forward to learning from you, and will soon send for you to enter deeper within my home to introduce you to some of my more glorious brothers and sisters. I apologize that you have not yet been greeted by our Champion, Bayushi Senshi, but he is currently abroad seeking to rid the empire from the Yobanjin threat up north. Please do not be offended by this, I am but a simple courtier whose skills are far more valuable at home; our most glorious champion is a samurai of brilliant skills whose absence would be felt if he were not in the heat of battle.

I invite, now, my brothers and sisters amongst us to come forth and introduce themselves. Hopefully together we can learn much from one another and we can forge a friendship that will extended beyond these walls.

[tadakasan]

You need not apologize about Senshi-dono; I have seen his work in the northern war first hand and know the importance of what is being done up there from experience. In fact, my first stop crossing into the lands of your Clan was to into the city of Beiden and arrange a shipment of heavy armor for the recruits being trained there. I am not a merchant patron, but I have aquired many favors as I have wandered the lands, so it was no trouble.

As far as my simple gift goes, I do not think you need worry about the possibility of this one starting a war Bayushi-dono. And, more than its appearance or not, I believe you and your Clan could make good use of it. So I offer it once again sincerely, for I truly believe it would be in good hands.

I will await for word of when you send for me; I still have much to do and much to learn in these lands. I was planning on learning more from the Shosuro, for I have made a friend amonst one of the sensei there and it would be a pleasure to learn from him once more.

Until then I will be awaiting any news of how I can better serve you, your family, and the rest of the Clan; I trust your research about those travelling through your lands and am most humbled by your assertations about me. It is true I have found some degree of understand of the kami, and would be more than happy to teach you when called upon, as well as your brothers and sisters who wish to learn as well.

I shall await word from you or any others from the Clan of Bayushi.

[Bayushi Matashi]

Tadaka-sama, you do me and my family much honor by performing tasks amongst our people that many might feel be below their stature. You are truly deserving of exaltation. Your persistence is appreciated, and knowing how much you value our friendship allows me to accept this truly magnificent gift. I will ensure that it is displayed proudly in my private chambers, as a symbol of our friendship.

I would not hold you back from your learning. Please, go on to Shiro no Shosuro, and I will be sure to call upon you when you next call Kyuden Bayushi your temporary home.

I look forward to learning much from you but I would not desire to keep you from your life's work. Perhaps upon staying with the Shosuro a time, you will have a few weeks to stay among the Bayushi and tutor me in the ways of the Kami. I know of Bayushi and of Daikoku for these are the kami most revered in Scorpion lands; but of the rest I am woefully ignorant.

Please allow me to call you my friend, and I appeal to you to do the same of me. And please, do not mind overly the checkpoints that we have established along our roads. the security of my people and my guests is among my greatest priorities, and if we are going to be celebrating state weddings come springtime, I feel that ensuring that our people are used to a heightened sense of security will only make the festivities go more smoothly in the coming months.

[Bayushi Senshi]

(Are you reading this Setsuro!? THIS is how you accept a gift!!!

*Standing ovation* Kami, How I do love the dance of gift giving in Rokugan.)