The previous day had seen a number of samurai paying their respects at the temple in various levels of drunkenness and moistness. While the worst of the water had been cleaned up immediately, there was still work to be done.

Cleaning was one of those odd things a samurai sometimes did. Hato had heard that Akodo said that a lord did not command his servants to do something he was unwilling to do....but she'd never seen a powerful lord with a broom or a bucket. Still, there was supposedly spiritual value in cleaning a temple for one's soul, and so it was acceptable for sheltering ronin to assist with the cleaning of the temple in return for a thin futon, a thinner blanket, and a small bowl of rice.

Hato hummed a very old folk song quietly to herself as the broom went back and forth. Outright singing drew the furrowed brows of monks when one disturbed the silence of the temple. Quiet humming gave her something to think on beyond the whisk of the broom, as the words to a very old folk song danced within her mind.

A single Shosuro finds her way into the temple. Despite being from the World of Dreams, it is to this particular Scorpion's shame that she's never been to the temple, but... business is a thing. And it's not like the Scorpion have ever had any particular reputation for religious fervor.

She didn't seem to pay much attention to any remaining clutter from yesterday's festival. Perhaps the parasol she held was simply blocking the view off the path to the shrine proper. Perhaps she had seen enough grime that it no longer bothered her. Or perhaps, most likely, she was focused on her task at the moment and did not care to think overly much about other distractions.

Arriving at the shrine, she folds her parasol and drops to a kneel. A clap of her hands. Then a second. Soft prayers, only given between herself and Shosuro-Shiryo. It takes only a few minutes, and then she starts to rise.

Hato noted the supplicant enter the temple. I mean....it was hard not to notice someone like her. The Scorpion had more than their fair share of beautiful samurai. So many so some of them could be forgettable beautiful. like a perfect bloom in a garden of perfect blooms. But certainly not this one.

This one...Hato knew she was famous though, right?

Shosuro Has...bro?

Hm, no that was a toymaker who made the little toy trucks for the children.

Shosuro Has..been?

No, that couldn't be right, thought Hato thought there might have been a tabloid that used that putdown.

While it wasn't surprising to Hato that a beautiful and famous Scorpion would come to the temple, she was a little surprised that she had come alone. Hopefully she could pray to the Fortunes without being hounded by press or fans.

Without realizing it, Hato switched to humming a theme closely associated with Hashinako's work while she continued to clean, making sure not to bother the beautiful, famous, and important Scorpion.

Ah, that tune. The closing theme of Life of a Togashi. Curious that a ronin knew it so well. But that was not a thing of great curiosity. It was, in truth, a bit more curious that the Ronin in question was cleaning the shrine. That was usually one of the monks' jobs, wasn't it? Well, she'd admit that she wasn't an expert on shrines. Or praying. Or theology in general.

Anyway, the more important question was, 'what is the deal with this humming ronin?' Was she doing this on purpose? Let's examine the fate of Ronin-hood in a closer fashion. By conversing with our little brown clothed enigma and learning what we may. Hashinako approached, giving a very light bow. "Pardon me, Ronin-san. May I trouble you for just a bit of your time?"

Shosuro Hashinako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:52 pm

Ah, that tune. The closing theme of Life of a Togashi. Curious that a ronin knew it so well. But that was not a thing of great curiosity. It was, in truth, a bit more curious that the Ronin in question was cleaning the shrine. That was usually one of the monks' jobs, wasn't it? Well, she'd admit that she wasn't an expert on shrines. Or praying. Or theology in general.

Anyway, the more important question was, 'what is the deal with this humming ronin?' Was she doing this on purpose? Let's examine the fate of Ronin-hood in a closer fashion. By conversing with our little brown clothed enigma and learning what we may. Hashinako approached, giving a very light bow. "Pardon me, Ronin-san. May I trouble you for just a bit of your time?"

Busted. You could never be certain of what a Scorpion wanted, but what was certain was that running away from them when you had their attention simply led one to dying tired.

Hato halted both song and sweep, and deeply bowed to the Scorpion.

"Of course, Lady Scorpion. How many this one help you?" she asked deferentially.

Hato wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 3:33 pm

Busted. You could never be certain of what a Scorpion wanted, but what was certain was that running away from them when you had their attention simply led one to dying tired.

Hato halted both song and sweep, and deeply bowed to the Scorpion.

"Of course, Lady Scorpion. How many this one help you?" she asked deferentially.

This Scorpion wasn't generally too keen on putting her pincers into someone, but of course it's not like a Ronin had any reason to know or trust that. "I am simply curious as to how long you have served in this role. It's been... some time since I've heard that song, and usually the people singing it are singing it a little more... directly at me." There was a brief shudder. A memory of a specific Hotaru from some time ago...

Shosuro Hashinako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 3:45 pm

This Scorpion wasn't generally too keen on putting her pincers into someone, but of course it's not like a Ronin had any reason to know or trust that. "I am simply curious as to how long you have served in this role. It's been... some time since I've heard that song, and usually the people singing it are singing it a little more... directly at me." There was a brief shudder. A memory of a specific Hotaru from some time ago...

There was a slight narrowing of eyes indicating confusion at the ronin tried to make sense of the Scorpion's words. Surely not an uncommon sight when dealing with the nbility.

"Ah...this one is not quite sure this one understands Lady Scorpion's inquiry, but this one will attempt to fumble their way to a minimally acceptable answer. The monks of the temple have been kind enough to offer shelter and food to this one for quite sometime, since this wave emerged from the ocean, in fact. But this one is not a wild animal, simply eating when food is put before them and sleeping wherever one can. This one must repay such care with service of some kind. However, monks have very little it the way of needs. So this one offers what service this one can by assisting with the cleaning of the home of the temple's ultimate owner." she explained.

there was a brief pause.

"Ah, but this one's humming is truly only a service to this one. This one has few enough opportunities to indulge in music openly, but this one has always loved music. No one asked this one to.....hum at Lady Scorpion?" she offered, the idea seeming truly odd to her.

She bows deeply.

"Apologies if this one's humming has offended Lady Scorpion."

She nods her head at the explanation. "Sensible. I just suppose I was surprised that a Ronin knew that particular tune." she waves away for a moment. "You have provided no offense. Simply an idle curiosity for a song I recognize. My apologies if my curiosity caused you any concern. My name is Shosuro Hashinako."

Shosuro Hashinako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 5:57 pm

She nods her head at the explanation. "Sensible. I just suppose I was surprised that a Ronin knew that particular tune." she waves away for a moment. "You have provided no offense. Simply an idle curiosity for a song I recognize. My apologies if my curiosity caused you any concern. My name is Shosuro Hashinako."

"No apologies needed, Lady Scorpion." she assured her. "If this one can satisfy the curiosity of Lady Scorpion, this one considers that a good thing indeed. When one must address this one beyond 'you, ronin', this one is known as Hato."

Rather than get locked into an apology loop, Hato moved on to the topic of music.

"This one enjoys music both new and old. Although this one tends to prefer ending themes to opening themes. The slower rhythm and more reflective nature appeals to me rather than the faster more upbeat rhythm of an opening theme. This one wonders about Lady Scorpion's thoughts on the matter." she says, not wanting to directly question the Scorpion.

His hangover wasn't terrible. Still he drunk some sake as soon as he opened his eyes and offered a prayer to Bishamon-no-kami. Then he did his morning routine (OOC: stored some spells, rolls can be found here) and rolled a cigar, which he smoked as he idly stared out of his window towards the garden. He drew his last sip, checked himself on a mirror, making sure that none of his white spots were visible, put on his earring and the other jewelry, and made his way to the main temple to pay his respects.

Without looking he knew by now, how to avoid the white tiles of the floor and he has stopped caring about how weird his walking was for some time by now. Finally, he arrived at his destination, and noticing other samurai present, he said the code word to activate the stored spell. The white spots on his skin disappeared and his frame became more athletic. He approached the statue of Lady Shosuro and sat on his knees. He offered his prayers in silence and then stood up.

The other samurai present were a famous Shosuro actress and a ronin. He remembered reading on the news that the poor lady had stalker issues. He shrugged and approached them politely, without interacting with them for the time being.

[OOC: Jun is following Ono but he is not streaming at the moment. He is just carrying Tsuko.]

Hato wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 6:29 pm

"No apologies needed, Lady Scorpion." she assured her. "If this one can satisfy the curiosity of Lady Scorpion, this one considers that a good thing indeed. When one must address this one beyond 'you, ronin', this one is known as Hato."

Rather than get locked into an apology loop, Hato moved on to the topic of music.

"This one enjoys music both new and old. Although this one tends to prefer ending themes to opening themes. The slower rhythm and more reflective nature appeals to me rather than the faster more upbeat rhythm of an opening theme. This one wonders about Lady Scorpion's thoughts on the matter." she says, not wanting to directly question the Scorpion.

"A good ending theme can be the perfect punctuation to an engaging tale," she nods in agreement. "A quiet, humble ending gives time to reflect on what one has just seen, whereas a more bombastic one keeps one's pulse going even after the last scene faded to black. I would say I enjoy the merits of both for what they can provide to a piece, Hato-san."

The sight of another caused a reflexive turn, but seeing it was simply another cousin, she swiftly relaxed and offered a bow.

Seeing the Scorpion actress bow to the Yogo, Hato took at that as the Yogo being invited to converse, and offered her own deep bow.

Still, it was best to let the samurai with the clan colors speak first and answer when spoken too. Some Scorpion were more than happy to physically remind one of one's place. It didn't SEEM likely with these two but it was still a possibility.

Apparently, the ronin wasn't a stalker of Lady Hachinako. Ono returned the bows.

"Mina-sama, it is with great pleasure that I meet you this fine morning. Have you had rice?" He greeted and paused as Jun, approached him and whispered something in his ear. He stared sideways at the ronin before his attention returned to his clanmate.

"Lady Hachinako, this one answers to the name Yogo Ono. I was assigned to this temple some time ago and I like amusing myself with streaming content online. In case you feel like doing something of this sort, I am at your service." He smiled at her amiably before turning to the ronin.

"Hato-san, my data archivist is a fan of your work. Will you be in the city for long?" He asked and motioned to Jun to give him Tsuko. He tacked the cat on his right arm and started softly patting her.

Yogo Ono wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:43 pm

Apparently the ronin wasn't a stalker of Lady Hachinako Ono returned the bows.

"Mina-sama, it is with great pleasure that I meet you this fine morning. Have you had rice?" He greeted and paused as Jun, approached him and whispered something in his ear. He stared sideways to the ronin before his attention returning to his clanmate.

"Lady Hachinako, this one answers to the name Yogo Ono. I was assigned to this temple some time ago and I like amusing myself with streaming content online. In case you feel like doing something of this short, I am at your service." He smiled at her amiably before turning to the ronin.

"Hato-san, my data archivist is a fan of your work. Will you be in the city for long?" He asked and motioned to Jun to give him Tsuko. He tacked the cat on his right arm and started softly patting her.

Yogo were often the black sheep of the Scorpion, but this one felt particularly.....off. While she did know the Yogo's data archivist, she wasn't known for fans of her work. She wasn't an artist or entertainer, if her work was attracting fans, she wasn't doing it right.

But more odd that his choice of words was the sudden introduction of a cat. The Scorpion had little love for the killers of Daikoku's servants. Whipping one out in a Temple to Shosuro wasn't as bad as whipping off his clothes....but it had to raise some eyebrows beneath masks.

"The wave comes from the ocean, the wave returns to the ocean, and only the ocean remains." she offers, referring to the relatively transient nature of ronin.

She glanced over to the actress to see what she would make of this Yogo.

Yogo Ono wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:43 pm

Apparently, the ronin wasn't a stalker of Lady Hachinako. Ono returned the bows.

"Mina-sama, it is with great pleasure that I meet you this fine morning. Have you had rice?" He greeted and paused as Jun, approached him and whispered something in his ear. He stared sideways at the ronin before his attention returned to his clanmate.

"Lady Hachinako, this one answers to the name Yogo Ono. I was assigned to this temple some time ago and I like amusing myself with streaming content online. In case you feel like doing something of this sort, I am at your service." He smiled at her amiably before turning to the ronin.

"Hato-san, my data archivist is a fan of your work. Will you be in the city for long?" He asked and motioned to Jun to give him Tsuko. He tacked the cat on his right arm and started softly patting her.

"It is an honor to meet you, Yogo-san," she speaks in a calm, even voice. "I am not in the business of streaming at the moment, but if that does change, I will be sure to inform you of such a decision."

Hato wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:59 pm

"The wave comes from the ocean, the wave returns to the ocean, and only the ocean remains." she offers, referring to the relatively transient nature of ronin.

The impression of a half smile appeared on his face.

What a poetic ronin... I can see why Jun likes her.

"And what an ocean?!" He wondered. "Full of stars."

Shosuro Hashinako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:48 pm

"It is an honor to meet you, Yogo-san," she speaks in a calm, even voice. "I am not in the business of streaming at the moment, but if that does change, I will be sure to inform you of such a decision."

"The honor is mine Lady Hashinako." The half-smile grew into a full smile as he bowed.

"I also had my reservations, but my daughter TamTam convinced me of the usefulness of the direct contact with one's fanbase." He responded to the actress. "While you consider that, contemplate collaborating with her on a live act or some other artform, she is quite talented."

He continued petting his cat.

Hato inclined her head at the Yogo's response in appreciation of his addition to her words.

It was quite the proposal he made towards the actress, and Hato was content to see just how such a request would play out.

First day on the job. Time to visit some temples before going to work in the morning though.

When Bayushi Tenma walked in, she was surprised to see so many others out and about at the temples as well, not just Scorpion too even. Even the Temple of Shosuro was fairly lively, and she walked in to find a half dozen people doing various things. She thought she recognized some of the people there though and headed over that way after performing the proper rights.

Bayushi Tenma wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:16 pm

When Bayushi Tenma walked in, she was surprised to see so many others out and about at the temples as well, not just Scorpion too even. Even the Temple of Shosuro was fairly lively, and she walked in to find a half dozen people doing various things. She thought she recognized some of the people there though and headed over that way after performing the proper rights.

His question would go without an answer... shit just got real.

What in the name of Lady Doji's round ass is Tenma doing here? Someone is screwing with my mind. It can't be a coincidence, can it? Yeah, it could. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Are they really trying to warn me or she is here to take him out?

"Mina-samas, you will have to excuse me." He said and without waiting for their reaction, he walked towards where Tenma was praying.

Forty-two, the answer is forty-two. His left hand reached for the paper scrap on his pocket and activated it on himself. Then, four steps behind Tenma, he stood and waited.

[OOC: Ono has Benten's Touch on.]

Finishing with her prayers, Tenma turned to the sound of someone approaching. Her eyes widened a little as she recognize the man who stood there.

"Yogo Ono-san? ...if I'm not mistaken, you've gotten taller. I suppose that's to be expected. Finding you here? That's more than unexpected. A crowded, technologically connected world like this."

She crossed her arms under her chest, staring at Ono with a stern but curious look.