an odd thing for three champions to discuss

[Bayushi Senshi]

[Haruka Yoee Tomatsu and Senshi]

Not a day went by before Senshi had made his way to the court of Moto Yoee. Senshi had long delivered vital information about the yobanjin through aides to the man, but was sure that he was bogged down in a bad case of "too much information" to care or notice the sources of such intel.

So Senshi stood, outside the hall and awaited for his arrival to be announced to the Khan. Senshi was wearing full battle dress, sporting his red and blue armor, and his war helm. A golden roaring lion, with senshi's face inside the mouth. One of the lion's eyes was covered by a silver coin, emblazoned with the scorpion mon.

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee arrived, clad in a white fur-trimmed kimono, wearing a large dark purple haori with a golden Unicorn clan mon sewn on the back. He bowed to his Scorpion peer, a slight smile on his face.

- Ohayo gosaimasu, Bayushi-san, he said respectfully. I hope you have enjoyed your stay in my lands, even in such a grim period.

As he raised from his bowed station, one could see that the slight smile had never left his face.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi returned his bow, and gestured to his left where a man in golden yellow armor of the lion stood, "Allow me to introduce my envoy in such matters, and my friend, Akodo Tomatsu san." As Senshi stood he removed his war helm, his blonde hair pouring out as he did so.

"We have just returned from the keep in fact, the defenses hold for the time being, but part of me wishes the shogun would get off his lazy ass and arrive already so we can win this war and go home."

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka gently entered in after the Khan, bowing in respect to the two champions deeply. Obviously they had only just been speaking for her to have arrived so quickly after the Khan.
She smiled a fair bit as she came to his side, quite happy to see them both. She'd known they were coming but to have them arrive together was a nice sight as well. Far too many unsaid stories surrounded the two, but for now she stood in her own light battle armor still stained in some blood it seemed she hadn't had the time to make herself presentable as of yet.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Tomatsu wore his typical lion stylized bronze armor, his kabuto held in the crook of his arm. He took a step forward to be parallel to Senshi. He took a slight bow. Hello Khan-san, congratulations on your recent ascent to the Khannate. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship between our clans. But enough of the diplomatic motions, my ambassador will bring the official introduction between our clans. Today we are graced with a matter more personal. I am here to moderate, as well as, he glanced towards Haruka to meet again with the Bride-to-be, to conduct marital business.

He paused. So gentlemen, let us get to know each other better, shall we?

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee outstretched his arm, indicating a large room with more than enough seats for them to sit down.

- Two clan daimyos at my doorstep, and all that I have to offer is this poor man's house, he said while slightly grinning. I hope you won't take offense from such an unadorned chamber. Would you please follow me.

He walked swiftly in the chamber, and sat down on one side of a square table. Each of the guest could sit on a side of this square too, easing conversations between all of them.

The Khan clapped his hands, and a couple of servants were on the move, bringing tea, drinks and food on the table.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi would sit and eat, avoiding any red meats of course. "Our thanks for the hospitality. Now, you have received word of the proposal, what is it you wish to discuss?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Tomatsu took a seat, placing his kabuto on the floor beside him. He also removed the katana from his belt and placed it propped up against the table, so as to sit more comfortably. He took a cup of tea from a servant and took a long sip, enjoying its warmth.

So this is the great Khan. He thought, he certainly looks the part, lets hope this goes smoothly.

[Moto Yoee]

The Khan glanced at Senshi, before staring Tomatsu intently.

- Bayushi-san, I wish to discuss the presence of the Lion clan champion here, he said quietly, his eyes still locked on Tomatsu. I am sure that Akodo-san is an expert in both strategy and politics, but I thought that the business at hand was between the Unicorn clan and the Scorpion clan.

His gaze never left the Lion, even when he took a little piece of meat and casually swallowed it. Clearly, the Khan was quite disappointed by the presence of someone he considered an outsider in this issue.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka of course having taken a seat on the side of her Khan gently looked up to reassure him.
"He is the envoy of Bayushi Senshi-sama. Tomatsu-sama has acted on his behalf to state the interest of the Scorpion Champion. His mother was an Utaku and he is good friends with Bayushi-sama.

He is not here for any military business, at this time."
She took a drink of tea as it seemed needed. "He has been nothing short of showing his strength as both a man of his sword and a man of his sword. The Shining Lion I believe they call you in some places," her gaze turning, "Tomatsu-sama?"

A second hand wrapped around her cup as she held it steady and towards her, as a nervous glance passed over both Senshi and Yoee. It might take all the help in the world to keep things calm between the two, she could only hope that Tomatsu would be enough to keep it relatively civil.

She couldn't be certain if the two were turning this into some unseen quarrel between clans, but that was what she'd most hoped to avoid. If there was anything more that Yoee would wish of Senshi he would have to task to Haruka however, as by Unicorn tradition it was her place to win the Khan's favor if for some reason he couldn't be swayed to agree to the arrangement.

[Bayushi Senshi]

"This business has nothing to do with the clans. It has to do with a man following the traditions of our people engaging in an advantageous to all parties marital union. Our laws dictate that I must arrange a marriage with the lord of the woman to be my wife. That is you. Tomatsu san is here because he represents my party to ensure the agreement is beneficial to my interests. All you have to determine is if I am a worthy husband for you charge." He leaned forward, adding emphasis to his next question, "You do think I am a worthy husband do you not?"

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee simply nodded at Haruka's comment, adding nothing. When Senshi spoke, he started to slightly smile. The sort of smile which could look like a predator gazing at his prey. If predators could smile, of course.

- Your question isn't really one, Bayushi-san. And I am afraid that if I say something, my answer will neither be one, he said, his eyes narrowing. Haruka-san has proven me her value. She is a great asset for our clan, and I am sure you understand what losing her could mean for the Unicorn.

He took a sip from his cup, in which a servant had previously poured kumis, a beverage made from fermented mare's milk.

- Then, the question is not "are you worthy?", but rather "why would I cripple my clan by letting Haruka-san join yours?"

The smile on Yoee's face softened a bit.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He waved a hand, and finished his sip of tea.

Khan-san, what they say is the truth. I am merely here as Bayushi-san's match-maker, not as Lion Champion. I am here to only make sure the arrangement goes smoothly.

He locked eyes with him. If you wish, I will leave. I understand your need for privacy and would not want to harm the marriage process. He placed the cup in front of him. And for what its worth, yes, my mother was a Utaku. I do hold the Utaku as family and so I would not want any harm to come to them. Yet if you desire me to leave, I will see to my business with the bride and then leave. He retrieved his kabuto and katana before once again locking eyes with the Khan, awaiting his response.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka seemed to feel absolutely embarrassed by her Khan. In a rather brash act she set her cup of tea down so hard that it nearly cracked the material that held the drink.

Her nerves clearly unraveled as she actually glared at Yoee.

"My lord, this man is my love and he has chosen me as I have chosen him. Were we any other one of the clans this would not even be a question.

I am one woman, one Shiotome. Granted good at what I am my sisters will live on without me, my mother will continue to train them and so very many more. I am but one Unicorn samurai, not a general, not a magistrate, nothing more than Shiotome. Compared to the great Champion, Bayushi Senshi-dono. My leaving will neither cripple nor hinder this clan and you hold me back from fulfilling a greater duty to this clan than any military action I could ever perform.

I will perform whatever task is needed to prove that I am prepared to take this step in my life, my lord!"

Her form was rigid, unrelenting as she called upon her strength and some of her training to show her absolute willingness to do whatever it took to see her clan's values as well as their place in the eyes of the others.
Her gaze would not leave her Khan it seemed she was beyond adamant as she'd never been so disrespectful, but it seemed Haruka could honestly care less as she wanted to put this embarrassment to rest, now.

"I choose to invoke the right of the Unicorn tradition of the quest for my choice. If you will not allow this marriage then I will perform a quest to sway your decision."

[Moto Yoee]

Yoee's gaze met Tomatsu's.

- Akodo-san, after Bayushi-san and Haruka-san explanations, as well as yours, I understand how important your presence is, he said simply. Please, stay with us.

The Khan then turned to Haruka, frowning.

- Haruka-san, did I ever mentioned that I was not allowing you to marry Bayushi-san? Do you really think that I don't see the strong ties that can be made between our two clans by this marriage?

Still frowning, he smirked.

- However, your statement is all I needed to hear. By reacting the way you did, you proved me that you, a member of the proud Utaku family, has chosen a husband, and that you judge that husband worthy of you.

He turned back to Senshi, slightly bowing.

- Bayushi-san, I wish to apologize for my uncouthness, I am not as skilled on the political battlefield than I am on the field of glory, and sometimes my words and my intentions might be misunderstood, he said apologetically. As you can understand, I wish only the best for my clan, for my people, and Haruka-san is still under my protection, until the day of her marriage to you. I cannot do anything but approve of this union. May it be the first link of the strong ties that will bind our two clans in the future.