Dance eternal [D1, EE open]

[Kuni Koyuki]

From the ground, bokken to hand, Koyuki wasn't ready to give up the fight. Or was she? It was a question that marked her mind frequently of late as she stared up at the ceiling. But she wasn't so blind, and right now the advantage was lost entirely to the 'enemy.' Taking in the surroundings to herself she looked to Mineichi, and then laid her head down to look to Seika. Inhaling deep she exhales with an accompanying measured sigh. Raising the bokken off the mat, she tosses it aside. "I yield, Bayushi-sama."

Without more fanfare, Koyuki would endeavor to stand.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

Mineichi nodded, tucking his bokken into his arm pit once more as he reached down, offering a hand to pull Koyuki up. Much like nudity was not taboo at baths, touching was less of a taboo at the dojo - after all, when practicing unarmed combat, you were expected to touch your opponent in a fashion that was agreeable to both. "You do fight well." he nodded. "But then again, I am told that Crab are born with steel in their arms." With the Kaiu and Yasuki heavily dependent on Soshi manufactured scrying orbs and other sensors and with Soshi being dependent on Crab koku, the Scorpion propaganda painted the Crab in a rather favorable light - as a tall uncle with obsession with sake that you could still trust. "Have you had a chance to see the city yet?" he asked both Koyuki and the bubblegum chewing Mantis.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Koyuki readily accepted the help, never having grown too proud for such a thing even in her youth, "Thank you, Bayushi-sama. My sensei would be proud to hear it, much as she hammered the sense into me." Righted onto her feet, she was quick to collect the bokken she'd previously discarded. Laying the hardwood passively across her waist. She groaned, subtly, as she twisted and tested the bruises she'd received. A grimace would never surface for such a insignificant amount of discomfort, to her senses.

"Two weeks ago I arrived, and I have been bogged down with details until today. I took what chance I could, and did see more of it. There is a lovely garden," she says, trailing the thought almost as if handing it toward Seika. Suggestion evident that it was likely something the other woman would have enjoyed more. Though she could hardly claim to have been displeased by her visit, the flora and illusions were equally pleasant to the eye.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Well, there's only so many ways to learn." he quipped, pulling the Crab woman up before stepping back. "Getting hit does sorta present a conundrum. Like how do I avoid this." There was a hint of jest in his tone, even if the martial education still followed some ancient traditions. There was only so many ways to teach someone to not get hit besides trying to hit them. "Those had to be quite some details." Mineichi added, murmuring softly. "Yes, we do take pride in it. The Shosuro and Soshi work both on it - and you can't always tell which made the thing you find yourself admiring."

[Yoritomo Seika]

"Hey, that was pretty impressive," Seika nods approvingly. "I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of either of you."

As Koyuki tosses the conversational ball to her with the mention of the gardens, she snaps her gum contemplatively. "I just got in late yesterday, so there's lots I still want to see. I did get a chance to walk up and down the boardwalk on one of the barrier islands, though, out where our embassy is. That was a smart idea, building those with beaches. Nice place," she delivers her assessment with a smile.

"I saw about the garden in my orientation packet. In the temple zone, right? That's on my list for sure."

[Kuni Koyuki]

As Seika spoke, Koyuki mumbled to herself on the note left by Mineichi. "Yes, eventually you just have to get hit to learn," and it sat with her, resonated until the other woman responded more directly to her point. Nodding, "You will enjoy it, Yoritomo-sama. If I can find myself appreciating a bunch of flora like that I am certain a woman of your taste is sure to," she says, there's an affected smirk as she speaks but it wipes away soon enough.

"I found myself taken back a bit by the craft of the illusions myself, on my visit," she says, looking to Mineichi. "Would Bayushi-sama suggest any destinations that must be seen while mine and Yoritomo-sama's stay here remains?"

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Hey, that was pretty impressive," Seika nods approvingly. "I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of either of you."

As Koyuki tosses the conversational ball to her with the mention of the gardens, she snaps her gum contemplatively. "I just got in late yesterday, so there's lots I still want to see. I did get a chance to walk up and down the boardwalk on one of the barrier islands, though, out where our embassy is. That was a smart idea, building those with beaches. Nice place," she delivers her assessment with a smile.

"I saw about the garden in my orientation packet. In the temple zone, right? That's on my list for sure."

"In my case that's pretty easy." Mineichi mused, sounding a little amused. "Just don't break the law. Not that I ever expect that to become a problem, neh." Now occasionally foreign diplomats would turn out to be hostile agents that would need to be liquidated, but after having seen Seika pop a bubblegum in her mouth in a dojo, he was convinced that she was just a normal high-born girl in a big city. Or then she was the most cunning spy he had seen in years. There had been an incident with Kakita Artisan pretending to be a fool while finding his way to the beds to certain trade magnates that talked far too freely when tipsy. "Oh yes, the islands are gorgeous. And the air's much nicer there too." As far as most of the cars in the city operated on fuel cells the downtown had a stench of its own, cacophony of smells generated by millions of people simmering in far too small rooms in far too hot and humid environment. "Yeah, temple district. Some of the oldest temples outside Rokugan. Some of First Landing are older, but not by much." As the temples has been expanded as the city had grown, many of them now occupied entire blocks, being more building complexes than strictly temples.

As Seika spoke, Koyuki mumbled to herself on the note left by Mineichi. "Yes, eventually you just have to get hit to learn," and it sat with her, resonated until the other woman responded more directly to her point. Nodding, "You will enjoy it, Yoritomo-sama. If I can find myself appreciating a bunch of flora like that I am certain a woman of your taste is sure to," she says, there's an affected smirk as she speaks but it wipes away soon enough.

"I found myself taken back a bit by the craft of the illusions myself, on my visit," she says, looking to Mineichi. "Would Bayushi-sama suggest any destinations that must be seen while mine and Yoritomo-sama's stay here remains?"

"Well. The islands are nice." he nodded. "Definitely worth a visit on a nice day. There's also the conservatory - we are doing a fair bit of work maintaining the local fauna." Scorpion had also worldcrafted the living daylights out of the planet, driving tens of thousands of terrestrial species into extinction. Still it was considered a small price for the success. After all, the man ruled over the beasts and it was seen as the Rokugani manifest destiny to conquer the stars. Emperor had once degreed that the Clans had to aim for the stars and so they did. "Mhmh... there's this one Soshi that has made a lot of good work. Soshi Kioku-san. Tell her I sent you and you might get a private tour."

[Yoritomo Seika]

"The only local fauna I spotted so far are those glimmerwings," the most cunning spy (??) admits. "They're prettier than the skink-pigeons we have on Irontide, I'll give them that. But I bet they're not what keeps your conservationists busy," she guesses, chuckling.

She casts a sideways glance at Koyuki, brows arching. "A woman of my taste? Now I'm curious what you think my taste is like, Kuni-san."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I will be sure to do just that should I find myself there, Bayushi-sama," she says, levity in her tone despite the mask of propriety, and Kuni grit that she wore. Shifting her gaze upon Seika she nodded. "If you would like, Yoritomo-sama. I believe though you have given me some hint again just by your previous comment to Bausyshi-sama here. You appear to me a woman who has an eye for appreciation of beautiful things, but beautiful natural things even more so."

"You seem someone who wants to see and experience what there is to be experienced, novelty intrigues you to an extent but it isn't your primary focus," she betrays herself with a rare smirk. "I admit, much of that is guesswork, but how did I do?"

[Yoritomo Seika]

"Hmm... nature?" Seika brushes a strand of hair back behind her ear, the gesture briefly making the undercut sides of her hairstyle a bit more visi. "I don't know about that. Nature is pretty, sure... but I'm from Irontide, mainly. A mining world. Not that big on natural wonders." She wrinkles her nose. "If you don't like the air here... yeah, maybe don't visit there, unless you have a line on an alpine villa."

"Actually," she adds, after considering it for a beat or two, "I'd say I appreciate people more. Who are a part of nature, to be fair." Her lips quirk at that admission. "I'd pick a park with people in it over the prettiest empty garden."

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"The only local fauna I spotted so far are those glimmerwings," the most cunning spy (??) admits. "They're prettier than the skink-pigeons we have on Irontide, I'll give them that. But I bet they're not what keeps your conservationists busy," she guesses, chuckling.

"No, not really." Mineichi chuckled. "They have a multitude of projects, I am told. Drakes being be the most evident one. It seems like it's now trendy to have one as your pet." With there being no real habitant where to bring the spine drakes back to, the Soshi bioscientists had decided that to maintain the viability of the species, they would need to become pets. Much like cats had survived the great cataclysm that had wiped out most of the large felines, they were hoping that domestication would preserve the drakes. "Alas, the progress has its costs." And the Soshi were sometimes very, very vocal about it.

"I will be sure to do just that should I find myself there, Bayushi-sama," she says, levity in her tone despite the mask of propriety, and Kuni grit that she wore. Shifting her gaze upon Seika she nodded. "If you would like, Yoritomo-sama. I believe though you have given me some hint again just by your previous comment to Bausyshi-sama here. You appear to me a woman who has an eye for appreciation of beautiful things, but beautiful natural things even more so."

"You seem someone who wants to see and experience what there is to be experienced, novelty intrigues you to an extent but it isn't your primary focus," she betrays herself with a rare smirk. "I admit, much of that is guesswork, but how did I do?"

"I recommend you do find yourself there. We do have some quite unique beasts." he added, wondering what sort of menagerie the Kuni held on their worlds. He had heard stories about the terrarium in the Crab embassy. What sort of samurai found small, bloodthirsty animals cute?

"Hmm... nature?" Seika brushes a strand of hair back behind her ear, the gesture briefly making the undercut sides of her hairstyle a bit more visible. "I don't know about that. Nature is pretty, sure... but I'm from Irontide, mainly. A mining world. Not that big on natural wonders." She wrinkles her nose. "If you don't like the air here... yeah, maybe don't visit there, unless you have a line on an alpine villa."

"Actually," she adds, after considering it for a beat or two, "I'd say I appreciate people more. Who are a part of nature, to be fair." Her lips quirk at that admission. "I'd pick a park with people in it over the prettiest empty garden."

"If it's pleasant company you seek, you need to but ask around. Despite our reputation, we can be very, very hospitable." Mineichi assured. "I have been told that some diplomats really never want to leave."

[Yoritomo Seika]

Seika smiles mischievously. "I left some jealous faces behind on Irontide when I got tapped to come here, I can tell you that." She nods.

"People anywhere are interesting even when they're not trying to be 'pleasant company,' though."

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I will have to take that as at least half-mark in my favor then, Yoritomo-sama," she offers, some levity to her tone. Looking to Mineichi she offers him a dip of her head and then glances between the two. Feeling the weight of the bokken in her hand she lets the weight slide to either side so that it tilts slightly while she stands in careful consideration for a moment.

"It has been a wonderful moment to spare, and I thank you both for the spar. However, if you would allow me leave I should be returning to the rest of my day," she says, looking to meet both pair of eyes.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

Seika smiles mischievously. "I left some jealous faces behind on Irontide when I got tapped to come here, I can tell you that." She nods.

"People anywhere are interesting even when they're not trying to be 'pleasant company,' though."

"Oh, I bet you did." Irontide did not have particularly good reputation. It was Dawn and New Kalani that were largely considered the pearls of the Mantis holdings. "I hope your visit proves to be pleasant enough to warrant all the envy."

"I will have to take that as at least half-mark in my favor then, Yoritomo-sama," she offers, some levity to her tone. Looking to Mineichi she offers him a dip of her head and then glances between the two. Feeling the weight of the bokken in her hand she lets the weight slide to either side so that it tilts slightly while she stands in careful consideration for a moment.

"It has been a wonderful moment to spare, and I thank you both for the spar. However, if you would allow me leave I should be returning to the rest of my day," she says, looking to meet both pair of eyes.

"Of course Kuni-san. Do carry the Fortunes." Mineichi bobbed his head at Koyuki, turning to see if Seika wanted to add something or if she would make her leave as well.

[Yoritomo Seika]

"So far, so good, anyway" Seika says brightly with a half-shrug in reply to Mineichi's benediction.

"My pleasure, Kuni-san. Since we've established I'm no challenge to Bayushi-sama..." Her painted lips quirk, a little wryly. "Then if you're taking off, I might as well get on too. If Bayushi-sama doesn't mind," she adds with a nod.

"Oh, here's my card, though," she adds as an afterthought, slipping a slim card case from her sleeve. "In case you want to hit the shooting range sometime. I'm better at that, promise."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Stepping up, Koyuki claims the card promptly. Offering a nod to the woman, "I shall be sure to do so, Yoritomo-sama. I shall look forward to it, until them," she dips her head once more. Looking to Mineichi one last time, "Bayushi-sama," dips her head, and then promptly returns her bokken, collects her sidearm, and exits the dojo.

/exit Koyuki

[Thanks!]

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"So far, so good, anyway" Seika says brightly with a half-shrug in reply to Mineichi's benediction.

"My pleasure, Kuni-san. Since we've established I'm no challenge to Bayushi-sama..." Her painted lips quirk, a little wryly. "Then if you're taking off, I might as well get on too. If Bayushi-sama doesn't mind," she adds with a nod.

"Oh, here's my card, though," she adds as an afterthought, slipping a slim card case from her sleeve. "In case you want to hit the shooting range sometime. I'm better at that, promise."

"Of course not." Mineichi bobbed his head. "Do carry the Fortunes." He was rather convinced that if the Fortunes did not carry the Mantis, the Mantis could plunder some Fortunes to carry them. That seemed par for the course. "Well, I might take that offer up sometime." he accepted the card, tucking it in the straps that kept his hakama in place. "Most of my people are hesitant to come to the range with me." Perhaps Seika could hear his smirk. Outdoing your direct superior was considered a bad idea and thus the well-trained doshin and yoriki avoided the range whenever Mineichi was present.

Stepping up, Koyuki claims the card promptly. Offering a nod to the woman, "I shall be sure to do so, Yoritomo-sama. I shall look forward to it, until them," she dips her head once more. Looking to Mineichi one last time, "Bayushi-sama," dips her head, and then promptly returns her bokken, collects her sidearm, and exits the dojo.

/exit Koyuki

"Carry the Fortunes, Kuni-san." he bid Koyuki farewell. "I suppose I should return to my duties as well. It was a pleasure." It had been, in more ways than one.

/scene?

[Yoritomo Seika]

After distributing her cards (embossed with the Watanabe Properties mon, naturally!), Seika takes her leave as well.

/scene!