Arrival of the Crane Ambassador

[Doji Naetaru]

After the morning sun rises, when the morning cold seems to subside, Doji Mikado arrives at the gates. Her heart pounds hard, a feeling that she always has at moments like these.
Behind her stands a small retinue accompanied by her Daidoji bodyguard. As they arrive at the gate, the retinue stops and she walks off some steps before she speaks.

Ohayo Gozaimasu, sons of the Phoenix! I am Doji Mikado, an emissary of the Crane Clan and lord Yoshi himself! In honor of our Clans' glorious commitment to the welfare of the Empire, it would be more than an honor to me to be allowed to meet the lords of the Phoenix, as the Crane wish to offer their gratitude and peaceful hand at those turbulent times.

Smiling she stands there, waiting to be acknowledged. The air fills with her perfume, and her mind fills with thoughts...

[tadakasan]

The gates open soon after Mikado finishes speaking, a man in an elegant red kimono with a close shaved head flanked by two Shiba standing in the doorway. "My my... I have the happenstance to run into the Lion ambassador before I left for the south... and as soon as I get back who should show up but an emissary from the honorable Crane. Still I cannot say you were unexpected Doji-san."

The older man bows and the two Shiba with him bow deeply as well. Standing back up, the man smiles and folds his hands in front of him as a sign of peace, "Welcome to Kyuden Isawa, Mikado-san. I am Isawa Tadaka, member of the Elemental Council and Master of Void. I apologize that our Champion could not be here to greet you, but I'm afraid that matters in the west are quite hectic indeed, as well as in the capitol. Still I think you shall find your visit to be worth while and hopefully pleasant as well."

On the other side of the courtyard another large set of doors open, servants filing out and prostrating themselves in two lines on either side of the door. Tadaka turns a little to look at them and smiles before turning back to Mikado, "Yes, everything seems to be ready for you Mikado-san; we have been anxiously awaiting your arrival and would be most pleased to meet the needs of you and your travelling companions. Or get to the business of diplomacy, if that is your wish."

He bows once more, folding his hands in his sleeves as he looks to the emissary for an answer.

[Doji Naetaru]

In her young life as a courtier, Doji Mikado had met quite a number of dignitaries. Yet, only once did she feel this strange shiver...training with the Otomo courtiers...and today again. But of course, only the Master of the Void could be perfectly aware of the situation. Only he could have "envisioned" this whole meeting weeks before happening. Little did she know about the ways of the Kami, and Mikado became ever more respectful to the shugenjas.
Rising from her bow, smiling in a courtly way, her eyes met the chest of the shugenja, for disrespect was a thing she never intended.

Isawa Tadaka-tono, your warm words and spirit of welcome was nothing unexpected, and in the name of the Crane I am honored of your hospitality. For an emissary as young as I, nothing could be more generous than your hospitality. My lord I am overwhelmed.

Carefully choosing her words, with a true innocent tone, she decided not to bore the lord with words and customs.

The lords of the Crane wish to extend their gratitude and thus offer a gift, not only to the lords of the Phoenix, but to Kyuden Isawa as well.

She produces a small wooden box. In it there are a handful of iris blossoms and cherry blossom buds in a beautiful ikebani display

With the passing of the Iris festival, the Crane would like to acknowledge your role in guarding the Empire against the shadows, as well as guarding the artistry that our Clan safeguards. The iris, a sign of blessing versus the shadows, while the sakura is a symbol of purity in artistry.

With those words, Mikado resumes back to silence, sign of modesty and wisdom.

[tadakasan]

Tadaka smiles and nods after refusing such a noble gift two times. He steps forward and takes the display, handing it to one of the Shiba standing near by, instructing him to take it to the hall quietly. Turning back to Mikado, he is still smiling softly as he bows, "A most colorful and elegant reminder of the times Mikado-san. Truly, with the blessing against shadows also meaning "light in the darkness", it is a sign of much that is forgotten in times of war. Especially one such as this in the dead of winter, with the landscape crisp and harsh like a katana's blade."

Bowing once more he turns slightly and motions towards the open doors, "Speaking of which, you must be cold and weary after a trek through our snow covered lands; I'm sure a delicate beauty such as yourself would prefer the warmth just as much as the belicate beauty of an ikebana would?" Tadaka doesn't seem cold himself, but his words ring genuine.

[Doji Naetaru]

Smiling Mikado bows slightly once more saying

Tono, how much you flatter me

Smiling as she follows suit. She looks around the Kyuden, marveling at the level of architectural designs of the Phoenix. It was for sure that the Phoenix Clan had a knack for aesthetics. The warmth of the castle makes Mikado feel at home. Could it be the friendly atmosphere? Could it be the touch of the Kami? One was for sure, that Mikado never regretted her assignment at the Phoenix court.

[tadakasan]

Entering the large entry hall and turning left, the party enters a smaller room obviously designed for meetings, low kneeling cushions all facing a stone fire pit sunk into the floor. He motions for Mikado to sit as the Shiba places the ikebana in a place of honor at the end of the room, Tadaka nodding at him and the yojimbo bowing before he leaves. Turning back to Mikado Tadaka sits as well, kneeling on a magenta cushion facing her.

"Ah, to be out of the wind near a warm fire; there is little better in the middle of a Phoenix winter. Unless you ask a Togashi of course. He chuckles lightly and looks towards Mikado, waiting for her both to seat herself, but to bring up any business she immediately has on mind.

[Doji Naetaru]

Mikado looks around, kneeling on the cushion offered by Tadaka. She was thrilled by the moment. She felt the duty weighing heavy on her shoulders, but then again, it was the Phoenix. For any situations couldn't be lighter if it weren't for the cousin Clans of Rokugan.

Isawa Tadaka-tono, truly a Togashi would appreciate any kind of warmth...be it temperature or mystery.
Lord Doji-tono wishes to extend his gratitude for accepting the Clan of the Crane in your castle.

She produces a scroll.

This is the missive undersigned by lord Kakita Takeo himself. It assures you that, should you wish, could regard me as a responsible diplomat in your cause. Whether it is a matter concerning our Clans or even the Phoenix, I would be honored to pledge my arts to your cause.

Bowing once more she remains silent.

[tadakasan]

Tadaka sits quietly with his hands folded in his sleeves, the close shaven man's face set with a thoughtful look as he listens. Nodding after he finishes he says nothing, taking the scroll gently and opening it, reading Takeo's words with the same thoughtful look.

Finally Tadaka rolls the scroll closeds and puts it onto the ground next to his cushion, bowing. "The Phoenix, as always, have every reason to welcome the Crane into our holdings, for we have ever been allies in peace, as well as times of strife. In the same manner, I have no reason not to accept Takeo-sama's offer of your help in matters concerning our two Clans' interests."

He motions towards the door and one of the Shiba guards bows and walks out, Tadaka turning back to Mikado, "Seeing that your intentions are as I thought they would be when we first introduced ourself Mikado-san, I must tell you already that I will, of course, not be the usual one you will be working with. You will always have my ear, and I will inform the rest of the Council and the Champion of your important business. However, your liason with us shall be someone I sent for wheen I sensed you were coming with diplomatic concerns. Isawa Kinen is one of my most trusted advisors, a powerful and wise shugenja I even trusted to deal with any matchmaking concerns the Clan might have for me."

Tadaka actually chuckles softly, his mood having seemed happy since you arrived. Straightening his smile he bows lightly to Mikado, "I pray that his services prove worthy of working with you, to the benefit of both our Clans." He turns and motions Kinen to come into the room.

[Isawa Kinen]

The door to the meeting room slid open, and Isawa Kinen walked in, holding the hand of his yojimbo and wife, Shiba Kohaku. Normally the yojimbo would lead the shugenja they guarded, and normally the husband would lead his wife. As a balance between these factors, the two walked side by side.

Kinen wore an embarassed smile as he walked up, as he and his wife bowed to Tadaka first. "I should have known better than to try to listen in on your conversation without Tadaka-sama noticing." He then turned and bowed to Mikado. "And it is a pleasure to meet you, Doji Mikado-san. I am Isawa Kinen, an Ishiken of the Phoenix Clan. I should tell you, unlike most of our clans finest shugenja, I chose not to specialize in any one element, so I try to be a reliable ally to matters of any element."

Kohaku then bowed, and smiled warmly to Mikado. "I am Shiba Kohaku, Kinen's yojimbo, as well as his wife. I always stay by Kinen's side, except in truly unusual circumstances." The husband and wife did not use suffixes for each other, as a sign of their marriage and their closeness. Their marriage was quite unusual, for most Isawa Shugenja only tolerated their Shiba Yojimbo. That these two could consider each other as close friends was uncommon; that they were married was truly unusual.

The two kneeled down on cushions to join Tadaka and Mikado. "We had intended to attened the Iris festival in the Crane Lands, but my research was on the brink of a breakthrough, and we had to stay here, or else I would forget valuable progress. Tell me, Mikado-san, how was the festival?"

[Doji Naetaru]

Doji Mikado saw the couple entering, the man wearing the ishiken garb, and his wife adorned in armor. Now, that was something that reminded her of home. Suppressing a mild chuckle she listened to them introducing themselves as she bowed once again in reverence.

Kinen-sama, Kohaku-sama, I am honored to meet you. I was more than honored to attend the Iris Festival in Benten Seido for quite some time. It is one of those rare occasions that someone can feel the weigh of the world lift off his back. Not of duty, but of those terrible circumstances that stain our soul, our whole being. I have witnessed firsthand its magnificent blessings. I hope next year that you attend to the festival sama, I can even assist you in the matter of transportation or attendance.

[tadakasan]

Tadaka stays silent as Kinen and his wife speak, listening to Mikado's response as well. He smiles widely, nodding in agreement with Mikado, "It is a shame you missed the Festival Kinen-san; it was a most tranquil experience, like a pure warm scented breeze in the middle of a cold winter day. I would suggest, if you have time in the next few days, to look at and contemplate the wonderful Ikebana the Crane have graced us with, for it does have much of the spirit of the Festival in it."

He turn and waves a hand at it to draw it to Kinen's attention before turning back to Mikado, "Speaking of one of the graceful gifts that grace this hall... I fear I have nothing that would be a gift to the Crane that would begin to equal your grace, beauty, and eloquence with words Mikado-san. As far as the Ikebana goes however, I do have something prepared that I think might deem itself worthy of attention in return for that."

Standing up Tadaka turns around, walking through a partician into a side room, only there a little time before he comes back, baring a small box. He kneels back down and opens it to show Mikado the insides; the inside roof of the box is a perfectly smooth blemishless mirror while the bottom seems to be empty and lined with silk. Tadaka clicks it all the way open and presses a small jewelled button on the front of the box; a quiet melody of chimes comes from the box, a haunting slow melody.

"This box is a momento made when the legendary Biwa player Kakita Onako visited Shiro Shiba. The melody is the song she played for the Phoenix Champion that it is said made him fall in love with the artisan. Despite the fact she became a Phoenix upon marriage, I think it most fitting the Clan where the melody came from should have that melody back."

He holds it out to Mikado, bowing his head.

[Isawa Kinen]

"Perhaps if my husband ever finishes his spell, then next year we can attend." Kohaku said, with a hint of polite annoyance, clearly she had wanted to go. Kinen showed and embarassed smile again, but nodded. "Yes...I'll be sure to have my research done by then." He said, as he picked up the box of iris blossoms.

Gently, he opened the box and looked inside, putting an iris petal between his fingers. "Remarkable..." He fell silent, closing his eyes, in deep thought. After a moment he cleared his throat.

"Tiny but precious
Small flower in frozen lands...
A spring far away."

"Simple, but the Phoenix lands are not the barren tundra you make it out to be." Kohaku said, taking the box as it was passed to her. When she opened it, her eyes grew soft, with restrained sorrow. She closed the box, not touching the flowers within, and returned it to where the box rested.

Kinen smiled when he heard the melody of the music box that Tadaka was gifting. "Ah, yes, I remember this melody, but was not aware of the story behind it." He said softly, once again in thought. For Tadaka to give such a gift...and Mikado as well...perhaps...

[Doji Naetaru]

Mikado was shocked in awe by the magnificence of Tadaka's gift. Assured that he had a proper taste for art. After refusing it twice and accepting it at the third time, as the custom demands, she took it at her hands, caressing it like a dove.

Tadaka-tono, I am honored by your gracious gift. No other courtly words could make it's beauty shine more. I am relieved that with my duties here, the melody will still be able to ring in those halls, as intended.

Adressing Kinen.

The Crane Clan was aware that this flower would suit well in the Kyuden's gardens, and they wished to share the magnificence of the festival, with those individuals that time and duty did not allow them to participate. Surely Kinen-sama will be able to the next time. Time passes quickly.

Turning to them both.

Isawa Tadaka-tono, Isawa Kinen-sama, the Crane Clan thanks you from the depths of its heart. You have shown great hospitality and by gracing me with such an impeccable gift. I am grateful to you.

And she bowed deep.

[tadakasan]

Tadaka bowed as well as Mikado finished speaking, sitting back up with a warm smile, "The story behind the box is an old one, as is the tune. But it could find no more worthy recipient; someone who will use it as intended, as was said. Now..."

He stands and bows politley again, "If you will excuse me you three, I will let you and Kinen-san better work out the details of any agreement the Crane and Phoenix must come to in these times, Mikado-san. I will be writing a letter to Kakita Takeo-sama and finishing a duty I must attend to. If you have something to report you have my ears, either of you, and I will report the results to the Council immediately.

The older man bows once more and walks out, the guardsmen sliding the door closed behind him.

[Doji Naetaru]

Mikado retains her sitting position, watching as the shugenja exits the chamber. She seems calm and composed. Her eyes wander around for a couple of seconds as she turns to Kinen.

Kinen-sama, I once more thank you for your kind hospitality in Kyuden Isawa. I never had the chance to visit the Phoenix lands before, and I regret not having done so before. However, now with the war with the gaijin threatening Rokugan contact of goodwill has become more than a necessity.

She pauses for a second

I trust that you might have heard of the recent news regarding the Three Sides River, and the Lion and Scorpion allegations regarding the ownership of an Imperial supply line. A supply line not only for the Shogun's war but also a trade route for the imperial family of the Otomo.
Since your Clan has been the main support for the Shogun's army backbone, I am sure that you understand the importance of the matter.
The Clan of the Crane has been harvesting rice at that region to support both the armies and the Tonbo family, as well as giving the surplus to our allies in need.
We trust in your Clan's judgment sama. I hope that you understand that it is vital for the empire's welfare, the region's control to be given to the Crane.
In that matter, we can safeguard the Phoenix and the Shogun's supply lines at the west front as well as the supplies of the Imperial families. The Otomo family would be informed of your support and since our trade line stabilizes we can enrich the Phoenix markets with our imported goods.