Doji Arai just returned from court to change to a less formal atttire, before heading to the Phoenix House and ask a servant to notify Isawa Nakajiro that would like a brief meeting with him.

She waits for the man while idly looking towards the courtyard, her mind trailing off to the various turns this conversation could take.

He appears, dressed still in his court robes. A tall man, he seems to be a little hesitant in his approach, but is trying his best to cover it.

"Doji-san," he says, bowing. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Arai smiles politely and bows back. "Blessings of the fortunes, Isawa san. A pleasure to meet a servant of kami." A small shrug. "And of Matsu Reiko."

Her polite smile is still there and her tone is almost playful. "How does the ever dishonorable and despicable Terror of Shiro Hana fare? Do I, at least, get her regards through you or just rumors and veiled messages?"

He blinks and spreads his hands wide. "Look, Doji-san, it's not my fault that you killed her kid. She's paying good money for your whereabouts, and, yeah, I had a little fun at your expense. Don't shoot the messenger, am I right?"

Arai bursts into laughter that persists for quite a few seconds. "My whereabouts, hai. I'm in the lands of her clan attending the most prestigious wintercourt. It must be hard for her to find me. Indeed paying is necessary."

She pauses for a moment to refocus. "Isawa san, such pettiness could be avoided. I can understand your duty to your house. I am aware of your difficulties. The rest of your little game was for your own little fun? The Ishimoto don't deal in rumors and lies. Her son died honorably in the battlefield. Drawing his memory into such mud isn't fit for a priest, even if his mother does. You dishonor him, not me with your games."

He shrugged. "And what do I care for him? He is dead. Nothing can touch him. And so, too, will be either you or Matsu Reiko. And that doesn't matter, either."

"So pious, aren't you?" Her tone isn't serious. More of a mock. "In either way, I don't care how you feel on the matter. This time I just wanted to tell you to stop. Who knows what I will tell you if there is a second time."

"My part in this is long over," he says. "She knows, and you know. Even ground. You won't hear from me again."