(D1, LE) Singing to the waves (Open)

[Hato]

There had been many people enjoying the warmth of the beach that afternoon, but evening brought chill winds in from the sea, sending them to find more comfortable venues of entertainment. Still, a lone ronin wandered a beach, singing to the incoming waves as she walked.



Will you stay by my side?
Quietly, in the gaps in our passion

I always lose sight
Of the comfort beyond the tragedy

I pick up
The shrinking shards of love

Gathering
One
And then two

Because just wishing
I could see you
Makes me cry
So much...

My love

Sighs spill out
Floating in the night sky

Please stay with me

I know you're holding back your emotions
But please don't become curt

Because words
Eventually become the truth

I can't hear pride or talent
It can't end up as nothing but a dream

Tell me
One thing
And then two

If I say
I miss you
Will that hurt you?
Though I'm crying...

My love

Each misunderstanding
Makes me love you more

Please stay with me

I want to know more
I want to hear your voice

I want to cry
I don't know what to do
I'm weak, huh?

Because just wishing I could see you
Makes me cry
So much...

My love

Sighs spill out
Floating in the night sky

Please stay with me

If I say I miss you
Will that hurt you?
Though I'm crying...

My love

Each misunderstanding
Makes me love you more

Please stay with me

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

A brightly colored figure along the sands of the shore is walking the other direction towards the singing ronin. Koroshi is wearing a button-down shirt with a psychedelic display of fruits and holographic vistas. His pants are lime green with blue squares every so often, and his head is covered by a tiny straw hat with a pineapple theme printed on the brim. A ring with the emblem of the Otomo is on his index finger.

Upon noticing the ronin the Otomo crosses the sands quickly and gives her a bow while waving away his Seppun bodyguard for the moment. "Samurai-san, please don't let me intrude on your solo but I could not contain my wish to express admiration of your voice. This humble servant requests you accept his apology for interrupting."

He bowed as if she was an equal and then smiled so brightly it was as if the sun had risen again. "Your dedication to your work moved me too much, I found it deeply satisfying to listen to."

[Hato]

A brightly colored figure along the sands of the shore is walking the other direction towards the singing ronin. Koroshi is wearing a button-down shirt with a psychedelic display of fruits and holographic vistas. His pants are lime green with blue squares every so often, and his head is covered by a tiny straw hat with a pineapple theme printed on the brim. A ring with the emblem of the Otomo is on his index finger.

Upon noticing the ronin the Otomo crosses the sands quickly and gives her a bow while waving away his Seppun bodyguard for the moment. "Samurai-san, please don't let me intrude on your solo but I could not contain my wish to express admiration of your voice. This humble servant requests you accept his apology for interrupting."

He bowed as if she was an equal and then smiled so brightly it was as if the sun had risen again. "Your dedication to your work moved me too much, I found it deeply satisfying to listen to."

You always had to be aware of your surroundings on the World of Dreams. The unaware quickly became the unalive. And the neon vision before her was not exactly hard to see...but more hard to comprehend.

The clothing pegged him as a tourist with more money than fashion sense. The style of speech and bow made Hato think perhaps he was a wealthy merchant or perhaps a low ranking Mantis.

But then the moonlight caught the ring as he waved someone away. That ring bearing the image that ONLY members of the imperial families were allowed to bear.

Hato only didn't prostrate herself because his approach made that unlikely to be pleasing to him.

Still, she bowed incredibly deeply.

"Lord Chrysanthemum you are as generous with your praise as your appearance is radiant. This one is deeply honored to have brightened his evening, if only for a moment." she said, humbled to have received praise from such an important person.

[Otomo Koroshi]

You always had to be aware of your surroundings on the World of Dreams. The unaware quickly became the unalive. And the neon vision before her was not exactly hard to see...but more hard to comprehend.

The clothing pegged him as a tourist with more money than fashion sense. The style of speech and bow made Hato think perhaps he was a wealthy merchant or perhaps a low ranking Mantis.

But then the moonlight caught the ring as he waved someone away. That ring bearing the image that ONLY members of the imperial families were allowed to bear.

Hato only didn't prostrate herself because his approach made that unlikely to be pleasing to him.

Still, she bowed incredibly deeply.

"Lord Chrysanthemum you are as generous with your praise as your appearance is radiant. This one is deeply honored to have brightened his evening, if only for a moment." she said, humbled to have received praise from such an important person.

Koroshi smiled even wider it looked almost painful if he had not been filled with joy. "Oh, I did not introduce myself!"

He smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand and knocked his straw hat to the sand. Koroshi quickly grabbed it and secured it back on with some small embarrassment. "I am Otomo Koroshi, courtier in the service of the Empire! It is a joy to arrive and within 24 hours have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of such an exceptional artist. I was just speaking with Seme-san," he waved at the Seppun again, "about how bright and lively the city is. A hundred million souls singing in harmony to the glory of their lords, it must be a great blessing to live here!"

He paused for a moment to breathe and pulled out a tiny silk square to cough into it away from the ronin. "Though one wonders about the air quality occasionally. But I prattle on without reason; please, join me for a walk..." he waited for her to introduce herself while putting the piece of silk back in his pocket.

[Hato]

Koroshi smiled even wider it looked almost painful if he had not been filled with joy. "Oh, I did not introduce myself!"

He smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand and knocked his straw hat to the sand. Koroshi quickly grabbed it and secured it back on with some small embarrassment. "I am Otomo Koroshi, courtier in the service of the Empire! It is a joy to arrive and within 24 hours have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of such an exceptional artist. I was just speaking with Seme-san," he waved at the Seppun again, "about how bright and lively the city is. A hundred million souls singing in harmony to the glory of their lords, it must be a great blessing to live here!"

He paused for a moment to breathe and pulled out a tiny silk square to cough into it away from the ronin. "Though one wonders about the air quality occasionally. But I prattle on without reason; please, join me for a walk..." he waited for her to introduce herself while putting the piece of silk back in his pocket.

Another bow followed the Otomo's introduction.

"This one is simply known as Hato, Lord Chrysanthemum." she said. "This one would be most honored to accompany Lord Chrysanthemum on his walk and speak with him of the world, or whatever else he may wish. If air quality is a concern of Lord Chrysanthemum, this one can recommend a few places Lord Chrysanthemum might enjoy visiting during his stay on planet, and recommend against others."

[Otomo Koroshi]

Another bow followed the Otomo's introduction.

"This one is simply known as Hato, Lord Chrysanthemum." she said. "This one would be most honored to accompany Lord Chrysanthemum on his walk and speak with him of the world, or whatever else he may wish. If air quality is a concern of Lord Chrysanthemum, this one can recommend a few places Lord Chrysanthemum might enjoy visiting during his stay on planet, and recommend against others."

"The honor is mine, Hato-san!" Koroshi shouted to the beach as he began to walk. "Friendship is a virtue with many followers but few temples. One must thus practice it in their everyday lives as they cannot pray to the Fortune so directly. Friendship begins with shared experience or interest, and so I practice it now by walking with you, which I cannot do if you would not join me!"

He laughed as he gestured wildly all around. "But you agreed and so I speak without great cause. Please forgive my enthusiasm. Yes, tell me about the World of Dreams. It is very vast, and covered in urban sprawl all along this side of the world. I saw that from my ship as we arrived. But what of its people? Are they honorable? Are they happy? Do they seek the Fortunes? And tell me of you, you are a ronin which is to have only the Emperor above as your lord. What is that like?"

[Hato]

Another bow followed the Otomo's introduction.

"This one is simply known as Hato, Lord Chrysanthemum." she said. "This one would be most honored to accompany Lord Chrysanthemum on his walk and speak with him of the world, or whatever else he may wish. If air quality is a concern of Lord Chrysanthemum, this one can recommend a few places Lord Chrysanthemum might enjoy visiting during his stay on planet, and recommend against others."

"The honor is mine, Hato-san!" Koroshi shouted to the beach as he began to walk. "Friendship is a virtue with many followers but few temples. One must thus practice it in their everyday lives as they cannot pray to the Fortune so directly. Friendship begins with shared experience or interest, and so I practice it now by walking with you, which I cannot do if you would not join me!"

He laughed as he gestured wildly all around. "But you agreed and so I speak without great cause. Please forgive my enthusiasm. Yes, tell me about the World of Dreams. It is very vast, and covered in urban sprawl all along this side of the world. I saw that from my ship as we arrived. But what of its people? Are they honorable? Are they happy? Do they seek the Fortunes? And tell me of you, you are a ronin which is to have only the Emperor above as your lord. What is that like?"

The ronin had a lot of questions about this Otomo....none of which she could give voice to. And if she went around badmouthing the Scorpions, they would have questions for her, which would likely leave her unable to voice anything ever again.

Still, the Otomo's enthusiasm and his clothing were much like the Sun. Warm and pleasant to be around, as long as you did not stare directly at them. And so she considered the acceptable face to put upon her answers.

"This one would struggle to evaluate so many people as a whole, Lord Chrysanthemum, but this one will try to fulfill his query. Honor is a very difficult criteria to evaluate upon, so much matters upon the circumstances one finds oneself in. This one would say that the people of this world do gravitate to the tenant of Duty. From the Lord Magistrate to the lowest worker, we all have duties we attend to regardless."

Granted, some had duties that included lying, stealing, and killing, but that wasn't something that needed to be said.

"As far as happiness go, the Scorpion have provided innumerable opportunities for one to be happy, whether they find it through music, arts, or in any other countless ways."

Such as drugs, lying, stealing and killing, but again that part was omitted.

Hato spared a glance up upon the twin moons before continuing on.

"This one would rate the people as fairly pious. As yesterday and the temple of ancestors speaking well of the people's memory of those past. Daikoku is held in very high regard as well."

There was also a shrine devoted to passionate evil, but that was another landmark the Scorpion would likely like left off the list.

Her steps slowed somewhat as she came to the final point: what's being a ronin like?

"The life of a ronin is not one this one would recommend to anyone, nor is it one this one would have chosen had this one had a choice. But lamenting the path that we walk does not make the ground any softer. We simply must walk it with our head held high with determination."

Speaking of heads, she risked a glance back at the Otomo's pineapple hat. Where DID he get that?

"Hopefully this one's answers are at least slightly worth Lord Chrysanthemum's valuable time."

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

Koroshi remained blessedly silent for the duration of her reply though his face took on a wide range of expressions. Finally he nodded at her and smiled gently. "I cannot fault your answers, Hato-san as they are immaculate and well spoken. The people are dutiful, pious, and industrious. And willing to humor an almost stranger! Truly the Lasy Bayushi is lucky for being the champion of such a people!"

The Otomo near yelled that last part into the vague emptiness of the beach. There were a few people in the distance but aside from the Seppun no one would be able to make out what he had said. Koroshi kicked at the sand as his brain teased out what to keep and mull on for later.

"We cannot choose this life, our families, or the actions of others. But if we meet each day with the righteousness within us then we will make the correct decisions." He said with some conviction. Koroshi continued after a short pause.

"I hope you did not mind my questions, I am a courtier and shugenja. The hearts and mind and very souls of people are dear things to me. Compassion and duty! It is not courage to go at a thing with ignorance, so I ask. What does Hato-san recommend for nightlife?"

[Hato]

snip

Koroshi remained blessedly silent for the duration of her reply though his face took on a wide range of expressions. Finally he nodded at her and smiled gently. "I cannot fault your answers, Hato-san as they are immaculate and well spoken. The people are dutiful, pious, and industrious. And willing to humor an almost stranger! Truly the Lasy Bayushi is lucky for being the champion of such a people!"

The Otomo near yelled that last part into the vague emptiness of the beach. There were a few people in the distance but aside from the Seppun no one would be able to make out what he had said. Koroshi kicked at the sand as his brain teased out what to keep and mull on for later.

"We cannot choose this life, our families, or the actions of others. But if we meet each day with the righteousness within us then we will make the correct decisions." He said with some conviction. Koroshi continued after a short pause.

"I hope you did not mind my questions, I am a courtier and shugenja. The hearts and mind and very souls of people are dear things to me. Compassion and duty! It is not courage to go at a thing with ignorance, so I ask. What does Hato-san recommend for nightlife?"

Hato considered the question and who was asking it.

"While there are many places Lord Chrysanthemum might enjoy, this one believes he would truly enjoy the Wicked Wasp on the top floor of Mizui Tower. While it is not a place this one would frequent, this one thinks it would delight Lord Chrysanthemum. This one has heard that those with the gift of being able to speak with the kami, such as Lord Chrysanthmum, can actually interact with the illusion that the club has in operation." she suggests.

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

Koroshi's young face assumes an expression of abject shock.

"The fair Hato-san does not frequent nightclubs? Perhaps she visits karaoke bars instead? Or takes Akodo's advice from Leadership and sleeps in early that she might meet the assassins at midnight!" He swished imaginary swords around for a bit before calming down. "But I take your words as they are. Spun gold, given in the spirit of assistance."

Koroshi pulled the hat down to adjust the fitting so that it would stop moving so much when he pretended to be a superhero. It also gave him a moment to look out over the beach and contemplate the correct action that one should take. "If it is not a problem, I would like to know the name of the song you were singing. And if there was any greater meaning than the beauty of your own voice against the waves. Please do not feel inclined to share if it is too difficult, I do not wish to inflict suffering upon a budding friend."

[Hato]

Koroshi's young face assumes an expression of abject shock.

"The fair Hato-san does not frequent nightclubs? Perhaps she visits karaoke bars instead? Or takes Akodo's advice from Leadership and sleeps in early that she might meet the assassins at midnight!" He swished imaginary swords around for a bit before calming down. "But I take your words as they are. Spun gold, given in the spirit of assistance."

Koroshi pulled the hat down to adjust the fitting so that it would stop moving so much when he pretended to be a superhero. It also gave him a moment to look out over the beach and contemplate the correct action that one should take. "If it is not a problem, I would like to know the name of the song you were singing. And if there was any greater meaning than the beauty of your own voice against the waves. Please do not feel inclined to share if it is too difficult, I do not wish to inflict suffering upon a budding friend."

Hato was very grateful for the darkness. Was it possible for someone to be so enrobed in privilege that they didn't understand that for some it was not a choice whether or not to go to a nightclub?

Hato could only think of two possibilities. The first was that the man was a fool. A very rich, privileged, sheltered lordling that had unknowingly earned the ire of someone who arranged to have him shipped here for the Scorpion to devour at their pleasure. Where this this case, she wouldn't mind benefiting from his foolishness a bit, and perhaps would be willing to shield him a bit from the really harsh realities of the World of Dreams.

However, the alternative that he was playing the fool. He wore his smile and waved about his riches to draw in those who thought themselves clever, before the trap snaps shut on them. Were that the case, she would need to tread very careful around this dangerous neon man.

For the moment, it seemed wisest to let him assume she was simply too honorable for late nights at the nightclubs.

"The name of the song, Lord Chrysanthemum is 'Please Stay with Me' by Shosuro Yui." she explained as the pair walked the shore. "A somewhat older song, the artist was said to have been inspired by the tale of two lovers and their upcoming separation. The man is going on a dangerous assignment, and while it is a dutiful and honorable thing....she does not wish to lose him. She knows that it will cause him pain if she acknowledges that she does not wish him to go, if she begs him to stay...but it will hurt so much worse for her if she loses him. All she wants is for him to stay, even as the world conspires to send him away, perhaps forever."

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

"A terrible fate indeed! One can only wish that he would return to her that she might not fall into the sin of regret. It struck me as a very open song, one where the singer is bearing their feelings with courage and knowing that they have made themselves vulnerable. I consider it right and honorable to do so between two lovers, though I hesitate to say that one should apply the same to their more normal relationships. One cannot disappoint their lord after all." He made a quick sign to the heavens to ward off any ill fate he might have drawn from Tengoku for speaking so.

"Love is difficult, for all that I have been trained in the proper worship of the Seven it is not easy to invoke the attentions of Benten-no-kami. Myself, I have offered prayers both ways on the matter. It does not become easier even when you share your feelings. I empathize greatly with the singer." Koroshi looked pensively out into the sky. "But one does not give up because things are tough! You must meet each day with the vigor that surges through your veins! Hai!"

He chopped the air with his own vigorous motions before realizing he had been monologuing again. Always the villain. "Does Hato-san have any questions she would like to address to myself? You have been kind enough to allow my fumbling interrogation after all."

[Hato]

"A terrible fate indeed! One can only wish that he would return to her that she might not fall into the sin of regret. It struck me as a very open song, one where the singer is bearing their feelings with courage and knowing that they have made themselves vulnerable. I consider it right and honorable to do so between two lovers, though I hesitate to say that one should apply the same to their more normal relationships. One cannot disappoint their lord after all." He made a quick sign to the heavens to ward off any ill fate he might have drawn from Tengoku for speaking so.

"Love is difficult, for all that I have been trained in the proper worship of the Seven it is not easy to invoke the attentions of Benten-no-kami. Myself, I have offered prayers both ways on the matter. It does not become easier even when you share your feelings. I empathize greatly with the singer." Koroshi looked pensively out into the sky. "But one does not give up because things are tough! You must meet each day with the vigor that surges through your veins! Hai!"

He chopped the air with his own vigorous motions before realizing he had been monologuing again. Always the villain. "Does Hato-san have any questions she would like to address to myself? You have been kind enough to allow my fumbling interrogation after all."

Hato nodded.

"Lord Chrysanthemum is very wise in the matters of love and persistence." she offered sincerely.

Perhaps in nothing else, but at least he had the right of those two.

"This one would be interested in knowing more about where Lord Chrysanthemum hails from and what has brought him to the World of Dreams. Whatever Lord Chrysanthemum wishes to share, this one will consider it an honor." she offered, genuinely curious about the man.

[Otomo Koroshi]

Hato nodded.

"Lord Chrysanthemum is very wise in the matters of love and persistence." she offered sincerely.

Perhaps in nothing else, but at least he had the right of those two.

"This one would be interested in knowing more about where Lord Chrysanthemum hails from and what has brought him to the World of Dreams. Whatever Lord Chrysanthemum wishes to share, this one will consider it an honor." she offered, genuinely curious about the man.

"Oh, it is nothing more than experience Hato-san. There are many wiser in such matters than myself." He smiled at her in the dimming light. "I was born on Rokugan. My mother and father both serve in Toshi Ranbo, and I spent a portion of my youth between there and a spacebase above the planet under my father's family's control. I trained in Phoenix controlled space actually, it was most excellent! The Isawa prize skill and talent, and were not sparing in their refinement of my technique. One cannot rely upon their birth to decide their fate, they must grasp the future with both hands that it may be molded by their personality. This I had not realized until working under the Isawa. I am afraid to say I was rather full of myself before, but have since replaced puffery with true confidence in my skills!" He mimes a quick dance to welcome the wind and rain for the winter season. It is unlikely anyone but another Isawa would recognize it though.

"As for the World of Dreams, I was assigned. Not very interesting process to be sure, a communication arrived bearing the seal of the Otomo and off I went on a shuttle to a ship and then a ship to another ship, and finally a ship to the surface of this world. My orders are to serve the diplomatic staff of the Imperial Embassy. Courtier work, though not unaided by my training as a shugenja."

[Hato]

"Oh, it is nothing more than experience Hato-san. There are many wiser in such matters than myself." He smiled at her in the dimming light. "I was born on Rokugan. My mother and father both serve in Toshi Ranbo, and I spent a portion of my youth between there and a spacebase above the planet under my father's family's control. I trained in Phoenix controlled space actually, it was most excellent! The Isawa prize skill and talent, and were not sparing in their refinement of my technique. One cannot rely upon their birth to decide their fate, they must grasp the future with both hands that it may be molded by their personality. This I had not realized until working under the Isawa. I am afraid to say I was rather full of myself before, but have since replaced puffery with true confidence in my skills!" He mimes a quick dance to welcome the wind and rain for the winter season. It is unlikely anyone but another Isawa would recognize it though.

"As for the World of Dreams, I was assigned. Not very interesting process to be sure, a communication arrived bearing the seal of the Otomo and off I went on a shuttle to a ship and then a ship to another ship, and finally a ship to the surface of this world. My orders are to serve the diplomatic staff of the Imperial Embassy. Courtier work, though not unaided by my training as a shugenja."

In truth, Hato knew little about Rokugan the planet. Of course, it was where the Empire originated, but it was so far in the past and so far distant he could have told her he was from the world of the neon pineapples and it would have been nearly as likely. Though the story of privileged idiot gets shipped around until he annoys someone enough to be fed to the Scorpion was solidifying nicely. He was either very doomed or a very attractive piece of bait that someone who thought they could swim would choke on.

"You're quite well travelled Lord Chrysanthemum. This one cannot imagine what Lord Chrysanthemum must have seen in his life's journey from Rokugan to the World of Dreams." she said truthfully.

She couldn't. This sort of luxurious jet-setting upbringing? The two were so different they might as well not both been human.

"Is Lord Chrysanthemum expecting a long assignment on World of Dreams? Or is this a momentary respite upon his journey to wonders even greater still?

[Otomo Koroshi]

In truth, Hato knew little about Rokugan the planet. Of course, it was where the Empire originated, but it was so far in the past and so far distant he could have told her he was from the world of the neon pineapples and it would have been nearly as likely. Though the story of privileged idiot gets shipped around until he annoys someone enough to be fed to the Scorpion was solidifying nicely. He was either very doomed or a very attractive piece of bait that someone who thought they could swim would choke on.

"You're quite well travelled Lord Chrysanthemum. This one cannot imagine what Lord Chrysanthemum must have seen in his life's journey from Rokugan to the World of Dreams." she said truthfully.

She couldn't. This sort of luxurious jet-setting upbringing? The two were so different they might as well not both been human.

"Is Lord Chrysanthemum expecting a long assignment on World of Dreams? Or is this a momentary respite upon his journey to wonders even greater still?

"Hato-san is too kind! My recent travels here were very interesting from a pilot's perspective. I have only the basics in such training, how to move in the void of space, Open the Way, and so on. But they were not very interesting from a culinary perspective, or indeed from any artist's perspective. Space bases universally are cramped, and none of the waystations we stopped at had any planets nearby. The occasional asteroid formation, but those are difficult to appreciate in the half hour you have before the next ship." Koroshi rambles on for a while before pulling out his tiny silk square to cough into it away from Hato.

The coughing continued for a bit before he put it back into his pocket to smile beatifically at her. "Not long, which is why I must enjoy as much of the World of Dreams as I can! One cannot sleep while opportunity stands before them. Always ready, always vigilant!"

His face dims slightly. "Though Leadership also said to be still and understand the moment to strike. Still, but ready?" Koroshi freezes in place with his eyes narrowed before laughing and continuing to walk.

[Hato]

"Hato-san is too kind! My recent travels here were very interesting from a pilot's perspective. I have only the basics in such training, how to move in the void of space, Open the Way, and so on. But they were not very interesting from a culinary perspective, or indeed from any artist's perspective. Space bases universally are cramped, and none of the waystations we stopped at had any planets nearby. The occasional asteroid formation, but those are difficult to appreciate in the half hour you have before the next ship." Koroshi rambles on for a while before pulling out his tiny silk square to cough into it away from Hato.

The coughing continued for a bit before he put it back into his pocket to smile beatifically at her. "Not long, which is why I must enjoy as much of the World of Dreams as I can! One cannot sleep while opportunity stands before them. Always ready, always vigilant!"

His face dims slightly. "Though Leadership also said to be still and understand the moment to strike. Still, but ready?" Koroshi freezes in place with his eyes narrowed before laughing and continuing to walk.

Those Hato did not watch him cough, the cough and his words did bring a third scenario to mind. Perhaps the man was very unwell. Using his considerable wealth and influence to enjoy life in what few moments he had left. An unusual proposition, but not an impossible one, sad in it's own way.

"Courtier, shugenja, pilot, gourmet, artist, Lord Chrysanthemum is truly a master of all seasons." she commented. "While some feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities presented to them on World of Dreams, this one thinks that Lord Chrysanthemum may be able to overwhelm the World of Dreams by his sheer enthusiasm for life."

She watched the rolling of the aves for a moment.

"This one wonders if there is a particular art style Lord Chrysanthemum favors over others." she added.

[Otomo Koroshi]

snip

"You flatter me, Hato-san!" He laughed some more at that. "My talents are numerous but not unlimited. One has to rely on others to make up the difference when responsiblities are set. Ah, which reminds me; when not serenading the waves what is Hato-san's duty? Is she sworn to a otokodate? Forgive me for being so forward, I am interested in hearing about the ronin experience when there are so many on this planet. There are...fewer on Rokugan." Far fewer.

"Oh, I enjoy dancing by the way. My mother is the director of a dance studio in the capital. She trains idols or something for the Ministry and made sure that I would not be an embarrassment to her legacy." Koroshi finished his interjection and then immediately did a handstand before jumping back into place as if he had not done anything at all.

[Hato]

snip

"You flatter me, Hato-san!" He laughed some more at that. "My talents are numerous but not unlimited. One has to rely on others to make up the difference when responsiblities are set. Ah, which reminds me; when not serenading the waves what is Hato-san's duty? Is she sworn to a otokodate? Forgive me for being so forward, I am interested in hearing about the ronin experience when there are so many on this planet. There are...fewer on Rokugan." Far fewer.

"Oh, I enjoy dancing by the way. My mother is the director of a dance studio in the capital. She trains idols or something for the Ministry and made sure that I would not be an embarrassment to her legacy." Koroshi finished his interjection and then immediately did a handstand before jumping back into place as if he had not done anything at all.

He really did brighten the shoreline, even more than one would have expected of such flash clothing.

"Ah, no, this one has no particular allegiance or affiliation. This one serves in a handful of capacities when there is need for this one. This one can serve as a tour guide, or a computer programmer, or even a driver. When one needs another pair of samurai hands, this one is ready to serve for the usual obligations." she said, avoiding the direct mention of money.

There was a faint smile, gone like a passing wave.

"This one would enjoy seeing Lord Chrysanthemum dance should the opportunity arise." she admitted.

[Otomo Koroshi]

He really did brighten the shoreline, even more than one would have expected of such flash clothing.

"Ah, no, this one has no particular allegiance or affiliation. This one serves in a handful of capacities when there is need for this one. This one can serve as a tour guide, or a computer programmer, or even a driver. When one needs another pair of samurai hands, this one is ready to serve for the usual obligations." she said, avoiding the direct mention of money.

There was a faint smile, gone like a passing wave.

"This one would enjoy seeing Lord Chrysanthemum dance should the opportunity arise." she admitted.

"And you network in meetings like this one?" Koroshi asked with curiousity. "Or perhaps you are famous in the city, and now rely on your clout for offers? Does Hato-san have a webpage for her services or a name card? I have never quite understood how ronin gain their duty, mine has always been rather directed from above. It seems much simpler if far more restrictive that way. But please, my apologies if I have offended you with the question. I know to discuss one's duty can be a private thing."

The Otomo shrugged at himself and then got an idea. "Would you like to see me dance now? I am not entirely dressed," he gestured to his pants which were not made of stretchy material, "but something slow wouldn't be impossible. Or you could join me at a club after I have had time to change."