Lunch! (Dun-Dun-Dun!)

[Hida Baramo]

(Here it is folks)

[Bayushi Senshi]

During the lunch two servants approach Shizuyo. Both in deep red robes, one a middle aged woman, of western descent who is never seen speaking, the other a younger woman clearly born of Rokugan. The latter spoke, "Morito Shizuyo sama, we are servants of Bayushi Senshi sama. He was impressed by your recent performance in the hunt, and has a favor to ask of you regarding your renowned skill as a scout." Without waiting for a reply, she continued and lowered her voice, "Senshi requires a scout to find a way to take him beyond Yobanjin lines, well north of Shiro Ichiro."

[Kasuga Shinobu]

(This takes place before the events in the main Party thread, so no Dragon at the table) Shizuyo looked puzzled for a moment. She didn't doubt her skills as a scout, and she really was quite honored at the recognition, but she wanted to make sure her concerns were voiced. She spoke in a low tone so no others would hear. "I realize you are just a messenger, so perhaps you would do me a favor of delivering a note in reply? I would rather not continue the conversation spoken from words out loud."

With that she reached into her bag and took out some fine paper and ink. It wasn't that much of a surprise to those that knew the Ox that Shizuyo would have scrolls and ink of the finest quality, but many seemed to think the Ox boorish oafs, not messengers as the Emperor had tasked them to be. She thought carefully before writing.

Bayushi-sama,

You do me a great honor with your praise and consideration. I have trained to do my clan proud and it is only because of the quality of the sensei of my family that I have been able to count my skills as high as they are.

I wonder, however, if you would not be safer and better guided by a Shinjo scout or perhaps an Ichiro. I do not mean this at all in disagreement with your assessment of my skills, nor as a statement of my willingness to do what I can to assist you. However, my area of expertise revolves around the Dragon Heart Plains and the eastern passes of the Dragon's Teeth Mountains. Surely there are scouts that have been in the lands north of Shiro Ichiro far more than I that would be better suited to assist one of your stature in such an endeavor?

Should you still wish my services in the matter, my time at the moment is free to assist. I would be honor to do all I could in your name, and in the name of the empire.

~Morito Shizuyo

Shizuyo reached into her bag and looked through a few small perfume bottles. She found one labeled "Hydrangea" and another labeled "Azalea" and gave the paper a light spray of each, the scents light but easily caught up upon, especially if one knew to look and their meaning. She rolled up the scroll carefully and sealed it with her personal chop pressed into the wax seal. She then placed a small sprig of bluebell on the seal before handing it to the servant to deliver back.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Both bowed and the one who spoke took the scroll saying, "Thank you Kijuro sama, I will see that he gets your reply immediately." She handed the scroll to the silent woman who turned and left. "Is there anything I can get for you before I excuse myself, sama?"

[Kasuga Shinobu]

Shizuyo gave a light easy smile. "The thoughtfulness of Bayushi-sama has left me with little to want for. You have my leave to return to your master. Should he deem to have a reply to my humble message, I pray that he sends two with equal poise and grace." She gave a nods of her head in dismissal and recognition before turning back to her sake.

[Bayushi Senshi]

The servant leaves then, off to find the scorpion champion.

[Bayushi Senshi]

A servant of the court arrives some time later, delivering a note from Senshi. It smells of daffodil.

Shizuyo san,
I am humbled by the politeness of your response, but it is with deepest respect for your prowess in scouting the land that I came to you with this request. I understand however if your duties require you elsewhere. Your ascent through the ranks of the Ox have not gone unnoticed. Still though, if you find you are able, there are no others better suited to the task at hand that I would wish to have accompany my mission. Your aid in this matter would not be forgotten.

Bayushi Senshi

[Kasuga Shinobu]

Shizuyo looks over the letter thoughtfully a moment before getting her ink and paper out again, this time however finding a pink tinted scroll, in honor of the red of the Scorpion.

Bayushi-sama

You honor me deeply with your respect for my skills. All I have done I have done for my clan and the Empire, so it makes me glad to know that I have been doing well in my tasks. I apologize once more that my skills in tracking are not familiar with the area you wish to go to, though I will always do my best to keep your honor intact with all that I may do in your name.

If with all things said you do not wish to have me, there are I am sure other trackers more familiar with the area Bayushi-sama. If however you still insist that I am the one that you believe would benefit you and your party of samurai the most, I must ask how soon, and for how long. I know that more details about the exact nature of such things would be for later, but my time is not my own, and a mission of a much longer nature is different than one in and out.

Morito Shizuyo

The paper comes unscented this time, more official on thicker paper and folded with secrecy in mind, but Shizuyo makes sure to put a small sprig of verbena onto the seal before handing it back to the servant.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Another half hour or so passes before a reply is received. The servant carrying the message was one of the first that visited Shizuyo, the silent one. Her hair was now adorned with a flower, a white anemone, but her perfume was clearly a hint of azalea. The message itself devoid of flowery imagery.

Shizuyo san,

Your grace and poise under such a request is very befitting a woman of excellent caliber. Your patience in this matter is proof of a key personality that matters more to us hunters and trackers then our ability to cut to the chase. That said I have never been to good with patience. I do not come to decisions lightly and ask you yet again if you will be willing to accompany us on this mission. We will be meeting in three weeks time at Shiro Ichiro, should you decide that you can spare a week to the task.

Bayushi Senshi

[Kasuga Shinobu]

Shizuyo thought a moment, her hand on her bag. Finally she just looked up at the servant girl and spoke calmly and clearly. "Please tell Senshi-sama that in three weeks I will be in Shiro Ichiro to meet him and any others that are with him. Any further questions I have I will write to him, and any questions he has for me, I can be found the same way."

She dismissed the girl before turning back to her sake and sushi, taking a small sip, mulling over what the job could possibly be.

((ooc - Likely to be continued in another thread! ))