A Scorpion climbs the mountain

[Shosuro Ichiro]

A band of riders come to Shiro Mirumoto. They all wear the colors and masks of the Scorpion clan. They climb their way to the top moving with purpose. They finally make it to the grand gates of Last Glance Castle their leader moves forward to address the guards.

"I am Shosuro Ichiro, Daimyo of the Shosuro family. I am here to speak with Champion Takezo-sama. I am here to represent my Clan as diplomat. May my entourage and I enter?

Ichiro bows respectfully for his station, and awaits his reply.

[Takezo]

The Scorpion ambassador and his retinue are admitted to Shiro Mirumoto; within its foreboding walls - seemingly carved from the mountain itself - the fortress takes on the aspect of monastery, albeit a very militaristic one. The day is clear, and the fortress grounds seem very bright - there are no trees in evidence even to provide shade, though a cooling breeze, often whipping up to a wind, chills the air, rustling the Scorpion sashimono with a crisp flutter and snap.

Contrary to the protocol of many castles, the visitors are not disarmed of their katana, and are permitted to retain them without comment even when admitted to the Champion's Residence.

The Scorpion are shown to the guest wing of the Residence, and find the accommodation, while comfortable, to be remarkably spartan and monastic, with little unnecessary decor and no opulence. They are attended by young monks, who quietly and efficiently provide the riders with refreshment - cold tea and chilled orange slices to aid recovery from the hard mountain ride - and provide baths and massages as needed.

After a couple of hours, a young Mirumoto bushi arrives at the guest reception are, bows deeply, and announces "Lord Shosuro-dono, the Champion can receive you now, if it is convenient, as well as any of your retinue you desire to accompany you."

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Ichiro gets up and nods at the servant. He removes his daisho and places it down upon his seat. He then retrieves a wrapped package from one of his retainers and follows the servant.

When he arrives to the room he stands and awaits his host.

[Takezo]

The audience chamber is apparently located on a side of the Residence, as the shoji screens of one entire wall glow with sunlight, bathing the room in a warm radiance.

The opposite wall features a giant painting of a green and gold dragon in flight, curling around trees and mountains, each shoji panel containing a detailed segment of the painting. With his trained eye, Ichiro notices that two of the panels appear to be concealed doors, doubtless which would open into small chambers in which bushi can silently hide and observe, ready to spring out at a sign of trouble. Looking more intently with his Shosuro-trained eyes, he notes that the beams on the ceiling - itself divided into panels painted with scenes from the Tao - are designed to squeak in anyone tries to move concealed within the ceiling... a ninja countermeasure.

In the center of the room is a small black lacquer table inlaid with a gold image of a dragon, and two silk kneeling cushions, one on each side of the table. The servant bows low and gestures to one of the cushions, bows again, and withdraws quietly.

A moment later a door slides silently open, and Takezo enters the room. He is dressed simply in a kimono with his personal Champion's mon embroidered on it. He is unusually tall, and while slim is obviously quite muscular; in his early 40s, he appears far more warrior than politician, his face weathered and scarred, his deep set black eyes intense and piercing. He bows politely and smiles.

"Lord Shosuro-sama, it is an unexpected pleasure."

Takezo sits on the other pillow, opposite Ichiro. A servant brings in a lacquer tray with a small teapot and two small cups, and a small dish of savories.

Takezo picks up the teapot, and pours tea into each of the two cups, Ichiro's first and then his own. "This is silver lotus tea, a rare variety from the Mantis Isles. I permit myself few luxuries - luxuries make men soft - but this is one of them. These sweets are something new, sea salt and azuki paste... I suppose we'll discover their properties together?"

The delicate scent of the tea lightens the air.

Takezo smiles and gives Ichiro a level gaze. "I thought we Dragon were the only Clan that sent daimyo on diplomatic missions... I am honored that we merit such attention from the Scorpion."

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Ichiro bows his head respectfully for the honor in which the Champion poured and offered his tea. He gently took the offered cup and inhaled deeply the pleasant aroma of the drink. He places it down before drinking and takes one of the sweets. He let his tea perfume the air as he looked back at his host. His reply was polite and sincere.

"Truth be told I volunteered for this position. I have had nothing but the utmost respect for your Clan, and wished to learn more of your ways. Lady Kitsuki has provided a good basic education for the unlearned, but I came seeking more. I humbly request that you accept my assignment. I wish to bury old slights between both Clans and help usher in a better age by understanding."

Ichiro takes a delicate bite of the sweet, and savors the flavor as he chewed. He swallowed and then picked up his tea cup and drank gingerly. He lets the fair aroma mix with the grand taste in his mouth. Not wanting it to end, but alas he could not allow this simple pleasure. he again addressed the Champion.

"I do thank you for the hospitality you are showing to both my entourage and myself. We have traveled far and are weary of the road. As such I wish to bestow a gift to you to add to the simple yet exquisite luxury you allow yourself."

Ichiro pulled up from his side the wrapped gift. When opened it shows a go board made with cherry wood. The sides are engraved with dragons flying to the corners. The staining of the wood draws out the deep color of the wood. Ichiro takes the sides of the top game board and shifts it to open the inner board to show two trays lined, one lined in white silk and the other black. within sits opposite colored stones. He makes sure Takezo notices all within and closes it again.

"Takezo-sama, I wish to offer you this go board as a token of my gratitude and friendship. I had it made for you by the finest wood worker I could find. I had the best stone worker find the perfect stones and polish them. I hope that you can accept this gift for the chance of prolonged conversations over it, talking tactics or philosophy, with good friends or bitter rivals. Go is such a game to both enrich and humble anyone within the Empire. Where even the most humble peasant could outstrip even the greatest general, due to strong tactics and play style."

Ichiro bows his head in respect and hold up the offered game board.

[Takezo]

"It's a very beautiful set - certainly the craftsmanship honors the subtlety of the game".

Takezo accepts the gift, placing it adjacent to the lacquer table; he regards Lord Shosuro, and smiles.

"I've been intending to take up the game again; I used to play often - I studied the game extensively in Lion lands - but since assuming the Champion's mantle I've had too little leisure time to commit to playing. I actually acquitted myself respectably at Winter Court - I think I placed 30-something in the tournament there - but those Daidoji and Akodo take the game very seriously, and are quite hard to beat."

Takezo refills Lord Shosuro's cup.

"We shall be sure to display it in such a fashion that we will be encouraged to play, and to remind us of the spirit of Brotherhood which exists between our clans.

"As to seeking to understand our ways, I think that is an excellent approach to a diplomatic mission. We will certainly extend our fullest courtesies to you and your retinue, and if you are curious about something we will not hesitate to explain it."

Takezo smiles.

"We keep few secrets here."

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Ichiro is pleased that the gift was accepted. He was a little surprised that the Champion did not refuse it as was customary. Then again this man is known to to mince words.

"Takezo-sama, it is said that your Clan is placing it's full support on the Three Sides River issue to the Crane. My question is why? I ask this in trying to understand the reasoning of your Mighty Clan."

Ichiro takes another sip of his tea and continues.

"I find it odd how one of the protagonist of the last fight is given favor in this matter. Yes I understand the Lion are needed for the war, and We Scorpion have just received our sacred right to guard the Scrolls again. I personally though think that this entire vote was poorly timed with the Yobanjin hordes running rip shod over Mountain Watch Keep. All the vote does is cause more ill favor to all involved. Truthfully I would have rather argued for a compromise between all three Clans. Yet somehow this issue will not bear the fruit of cooperation. It saddens me as I am sure this will start another internal conflict, and I have too many friends on the side of the Crane and the Lion."

Ichiro then continues to sip his tea.

(OOC: I just read your post on the Toshi Ranbo thread... what timing.)

[Takezo]

"Well, the matter is poorly timed, but then, history has a way of running rampant over the convenient scheduling of mens' affairs, so I suspect we'll never find a dull moment to mull it over in comfort."

Takezo pauses for a moment, and continues.

"I do not deem it necessary to explain our decision, but I will say that, of the Clans in question, we feel that the Crane are best able to administer the region's agricultural value, and they have the means and experience to get the rice where it needs to be - they demonstrated this handily in their extreme generosity toward the Tonbo, managing the transport of immense quantities of rice. The Empire needs that kind of efficiency, and while the Lion and Scorpion are peerless at what *they* do, the Crane can feed everyone like no one else.

As to whether they could be properly regarded as a "protagonist" in the conflict which triggered the matter... we feel that the situation was manipulated by a third party, most likely the Spider. It is a matter we are looking into.

We do not believe the Lion will push the matter any further - in the near term - after the matter has been decided. This may be speculation, but further conflict in the region is not a pressing worry, at least as far as we are concerned. If anything, it is a matter which will burn many parties' political capitol, which we deem a good thing for continued internal peace!"

Takezo takes a sip of his tea and an exploratory nibble of a salt and azuki sweet, and continues.

"In short, Lord Shosuro-sama, we are not politicians - we are trying to do the right thing, the honorable thing. Sometimes that will result in decisions that may seem... unappreciative. But we must allow ourselves to be guided by moral imperative; that is our way. That said, we do value our friendship with the Scorpion highly, and we when support of the Scorpion is "the right thing to do", we will do so even if it isn't politically expedient.

Until then, we ask that you respect the wisdom of our decisions".

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Ichiro nods his head in respect and understanding. He then took another sip of tea. His reply came as soon as he placed down his cup.

"Champion Mirumoto-sama, please forgive me if my query upset you. I did not want to sound as a challenge to your immense patience or wisdom. I just wish to understand your basic reasoning. In which you gave me. I prefer simplicity of a reason over a detailed laundry list or reasons. It tends to show better trust between both sides."

Ichiro picks up a sweet and lets his fingers tests its physical properties, gingerly.

"A case in point of the Dragon's support was the return of the Black Scrolls to the care of the Scorpion Clan. That we are grateful for and will not be forgotten anytime soon."

Ichiro finishes playing with the treat and pops it in his mouth. He chews and washes it down with more tea.When he speaks his voice is sincere as are his eyes.

"I do like your view about how the Dragon handles politics. Its simplicity is refreshing, even if I find it naive. I sincerely hope that no one takes advantage of it though. So please guard it well."

Ichiro finishes his tea and places down his cup. He picks up the tea pot and offers to refill the Champion's cup first.

"I am sure you have a question or two for me. So please, Champion Mirumoto-sama, ask away. If was can not be candid in the privacy of your rooms then how am I perform my duty as Diplomat."