D8EM, Another Coat of Turtle Wax (Open)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:02 pm

After events, Kasuga Seitouna felt the need to clean more deeply than a hasty scrubbing in a barrel, so he finds his way to the bath houses, washes well, and eases into the soaking pools. His sailor's tattoos glisten in the water, and he drapes a hot, damp cloth across his face.

Definitely not something shipboard life allows, he thinks. One of the better things ashore.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

The rain was a bit warmer today, but only just. It was still a day that was gray and stormy, and a bit of morning cleaning and warmth was just the thing to start off.

Making her way to the bath houses, Poemu spotted that a man was already in the baths that morning. She bowed with a towel held up over her front for a touch of modesty before she sat at the tubs to clean herself off before entering the bath proper. "Ohaiyo, samurai-san," she said with a slight smile. Her hair let loose was down to her lower back, and the woman took her time cleaning.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:59 pm

Seitouna sits up at being addressed, snatching the towel off of his face as he looks to see who has spoken. And he is glad she is facing away as he looks perhaps longer than is strictly proper.

Not the Matsu woman, he thinks, seeing two arms. Probably to the good.

"And to you, samurai-sa...ma," he finishes, guessing. "Kasuga Seitouna."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Her hands ran through her long brown hair as she washed it carefully. The woman most certainly did not have a Matsu's build, looking to lack athletic qualities. She smiled over her shoulder. "Ah, an honor Kasuga-san. This one is Agasha Poemu. I wish the rain outside would stop, hai?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:18 pm

Shit! thinks Seitouna. Glad I moved to -sama, then.

"We shall at least not die of thirst, Agasha-sama," he says. "Though it would be nice to dry out a bit, indeed."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

The woman gave a silent giggle into a wrist. She would perhaps soon be done washing, but she was nothing if not thorough. "I do not think I would drink such cold rain. Perhaps if it were raining tea to warm one up... but hot tea would bring its own problems, ne?"

She gave a soft sigh, putting out a leg to clean one then the other. "Ano... I hope your clan has been well Kasuga-san. I had met one other Kasuga in a bath in Toshi no Omoidoso, but I have not seen him since my arrival here in Nikesake."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:27 pm

It'd be rude not to look at a person while speaking to them, right? And a samurai can hardly be faulted for attending to his surroundings? Even when they are slender wrists and shapely legs.

"Begging Agasha-sama's pardon, but would it have happened to have been Kasuga Saito with whom she conversed?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Saito..." She paused her washing to look thoughtful before shaking her head. "Iie, I am not certain who Kasuga Saito is, sumimasen. I believe his name was Kasuga Asakuro-san."

Finishing her washing, Poemu stood, her towel in front of her as she moved to slip into the water of the bath itself, putting the towel onto the side just before she did so so it didn't get wet. "If I remember, he looked after fowl for the Imperials? It was only a few days back, but it feels like an eternity."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:01 pm

Seitouna does not look inappropriately, oh, no, as she slips into the water. But, again, he cannot be faulted for being aware of his surroundings.

"It has been quite the rush, indeed," he agrees, "and my kinsman does have the distinction of being the Imperial Peafowl Supervisor.

"And it is trusted that Agasha-sama remains well in the present circumstances."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu settled down so the water was up to her armpits, her hands folded into her lap under the water. Her dark brown hair rested on the water around her. "Hai, I am as well as can be all things considered. I miss Lady Sun, and I wish that circumstances were not so... uncertain... but there are many here that have shown great courage and honor, and I like to think I am optimistic."

She looked to Seitouna with a moments thoughtfulness. "Was Kasuga-san at Morikage Toshi, or was he a part of the group at Toshi no Omoidoso? Or perhaps he was stationed here in Nikesake before the refugees arrived?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:19 pm

I begin to understand my armorer friend Seitouna thinks as he replies "This one had been sent to Toshi no Omoidasu shortly before the...unpleasantness began there. It afforded the opportunity for excellent conversation with another of Agasha-sama's people, one Mirumoto Wasako.

"It also afforded the opportunity to hear Agasha-sama speak eloquently before Shimizu-chiji's court, oh, a week past."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Ah, Mirumoto Wasako is a fine young woman." Poemu smiled more warmly. "She is trained in the art of only one blade, quite unique for a Mirumoto you know. Also still unmarried, and at her age as well!"

That last part she couldn't help letting out, quite dedicated to her clanmate. Still, she didn't push it too much, and the next part of the conversation brough a soft sigh from her and a more faint look. "I wish I could say I have been giving my best speeches in favor of my views Kasuga-san, but arigato for saying so. If I recall your own speeches, they have been quite more eloquent than my own."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:53 pm

Seitouna smiles sheepishly.

"Agasha-sama flatters. But this one does as he can, sticking his head out from under the shell, hoping to have it still to put back in again.

"But Mirumoto-san had mentioned a certain heterodoxy among her kin. It is good to understand it better. Thank you for the lesson."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She gave a small nod. "As I understand it, deviance is ever the way of the Dragon. No Ise Zumi is said to be the same, and my own family has ever embraced differences. That Mirumoto-san has her own is merely another note of my clan."

"I have my own of course, being trained by the Imperial families." She trailed off, a tad embarrassed to have the conversation so much on her and hers. She smiled faintly. "I confess, I know little of the training of the Tortoise. Are you trained by your own family Kasuga-san?"

She was gently flushed, but no more so than was normal from the hot water.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:12 pm

"Trained by the Imperials? Quite the honor, that; in which School, if this one might know?" Because knowing which way I can get in trouble is helpful, he thinks.

"But as to Kasuga practice: yes, the Family generally trains its own. Not many other Schools are happy to accept members of the Family, for some reason."

He shrugs in the water, the places the cloth he had had over his face across his left shoulder. The motion shows off his sailor's tattoos more fully.

"This one has benefited, certainly. It makes many things far easier than might otherwise be the case."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu looked hesitant a moment before speaking softly. "I realize my family and your own are not on the... best of terms at the moment Kasuga-san, but I would be honored to speak on behalf of one of your kin skilled in speaking with the kami if they need a shugenja school."

She let her curiosity continue. "Ano... makes what things easier, and how?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:25 pm

Seitouna blinks a couple of times, then inclines his head. "This one will pass the word along if still able, after. Thank you, Agasha-sama.

"As it happens, this one was born of an Agasha-born mother. Her name is Nazomeita to others, although this one still calls her 'Mother' before any other name."

The Shell deflects, he thinks.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Even if she was still curious, Poemu was polite and honorable to a fault. She smiled softly. "Ano... your clan was descended from an Agasha, hai? It is not a large surprise that your mother would come from my family."

"It is all the more reason to let our families come together again if we can/" She paused, then tilted her head."...Is Kasuga-san married?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:54 pm

A less sheepish smile.

"The kizoku has not seen fit to assign this one to the role of husband yet, no. When the usual age for such came for this one, he was not where one could be effected, and it is perilous to promise one who may well not return."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She nodded softly. She didn't quite understand how one could be somewhere where a nakodo could not help, but she knew it was Tortoise clan business. "I see. I know a few nakodo that could perhaps help Kasuga-san in such matters, now that he has... returned . Not that present circumstances afford much of an opportunity of course."

Poemu trailed off before giving a slightly playful smirk. "Perhaps a Togashi woman? They would certainly find your tattoo's quite interesting."

D8EM, Another Coat of Turtle Wax (Open)

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