Pretty Woman (Day 9 EA)

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

There was a lot of mud. A lot. And more with each passing hour as people spread it around and it rained. However, she had her umbrella and her geta. That kept her mostly dry and mostly free of the mud.

Today she was in incredibly good spirits. She'd been invited to visit a Phoenix in the morning, and she'd heard back from the two samurai she'd met only a couple of days prior, both of whom had also invited her to do things. This afternoon she'd said her goodbyes to her cousin and left her to her own devices so she could go and meet a Mantis. She'd been teased for that of course, and the fact she was going to meet a man. In the Crane she'd probably have needed an escort, but she was a Crab. Nobody would care.

She imagined the invite today to browse the markets was because the rain was showing no signs of abating. It just kept raining. It was bizarre.

Keeping her umbrella up, grateful that it was acting as a large shield against the constant downpour, she walked down the street Osamu's message had mentioned. She was looking for a red shopfront to meet outside. It didn't take her long to spot the bright colour.

Stopping to use each of her geta to scape mud off of the other she also touched her hair and settled her breathing. She was feeling a little nervous she realised. Doing her best to ignore it she pressed on, striding over to the designated meeting point in her best kimono. It was the flashy one she'd inherited from her outgoing grandmother.

All in all she'd made a solid effort to look good.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

She didn't have to wait long, Osamu came striding up Umbrella in hand to keep off the rain. He'd dresed well, in one if his better kimonos, and it despite the few layers it was likely easy to tell it was expensive.

Stepping under the colorful red awning, he offered the younger woman a polite bow. "Ah, but you look quite lovely this afternoon Kaiu-sama." He offered with a small smile. "I hope you have been well since we last chatted?"

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

Spotting him she returned his bow with a deep one of her own, the awning making that possible without her getting wet.

"Konnichiwa, Osamu-sama. You words are too kind." She smiled back a little shyly. She was feeling excitement and trepidation. "I have been well, hai. A little bored, but that only means the City isn't under siege, which we should be grateful for, ne? Even trained as we were, my Sensei said for us not to do battle unnecessarily. Then again, I do wish I could fight back all this rain." She paused to see if he felt the same.

"How have you been Osamu-sama? Thank you for inviting me out today."

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"It is hard to find things to do in all this rain, most out of door activities are avoided." You really couldn't take a walk in a garden with heavy rain falling down. "So I think most of us are a little bored." At the comment of the rain he found his eyes looking skyward. "Though I suppose I could enlighten you about the origins of the rain, it won't make you any less bored, but it might make you feel a little better."

Raising his hand he gestured towards the clouds. "If you watch closely you might catch a glimpse of a serpentine figure moving amongst the clouds. It's one of the Celestial Dragons, influencing the Water Kami and bringing this rain down around us. Likely to slow the March of the enemy to this city."

He offered her a smile as he looked back in her direction. "As for how I've been? Well, enough a bit busy looking into a few things, but well nonetheless."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"Ano, certainly...?" The man before her was a shugenja so she wasn't sure whether he was going to tell her the dynamics of weather conditions or something theological that triggered the clouds.

It was neither.

Her eyes widened and she gave a couple big nods as he explained. It was obvious that she was stunned. If it had been a game of poker then her hand would have been known to every other player.

"W-why here though? Why now? Wait, wait, I have too many questions. And, I knew it!" She pointed upwards with conviction. "I saw something moving in the clouds a couple of days ago. I thought I did, anyway. Some kind of snake. I mean-ah! I'm sorry. I shouldn't call a Celestial Dragon a snake. I wasn't. I meant I'd mistaken it for a snake." Maiya ducked back under her umbrella with a blush.

She kept her head down and only peeked up at him, returning his smile sheepishly. "I'm glad you've been well. Sorry. Can I start again?"

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

That reaction was probably a bit more then he had been especting, but it was a honest one, which was rather satisfying on it's own. He had been about to answer when she decided that she wanted to start over? He wasn't really sure what she meant by that but he nodded his head anyways, those upturned eyes of hers was probably cheating though. "I don't mind Kaiu-sama." Osamu offered after a moment. "After all, we have just started, right?"

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"Thank you Osamu-sama." She answers in a quieter voice, standing up straight and taking a deep breath.

"I think I saw the Celestial Dragon-sama two days ago. I had no idea what it was I'd seen until now. I'm glad you told me, as I thought I had imagined it. May I ask if you know why it is here?"

This time she did her best to speak without so much haste and excitement. She was largely successful. Nonetheless, it was still obvious that she was very curious about the topic and everything the Mantis had to say on it.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"I don't know the exact reason honestly, other then it involves the Phoenix Clan. I haven't really asked the one responsible about their reasoning." He answered. It hadn't really interested him at the time.

"Though I suspect it is like I said an effort to slow the advance of the coming army."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"I hope it works." Maiya responded immediately. "And I hope our hosts are making good use of this time."

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

Something about some of the whispers he had heard on the streets made him think the enemy was making better use of it then thay were. Osamu had no intention to say that aloud though, it wasn't really the time for that sort of speculation. "Lets hope so." He instead agreed with a lopsided smile before glancing from the young crab to the streets in front of them.

"Should we be on our way though Kaiu-sama? We'll have to brave the rain again, but most of the shops still seem open."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"I'd like that. Onegaishimasu." She replied with a bright big smile to match his. "Did you have any shops in mind to visit today?" Maiya knew they'd be browsing too, but it was polite to check if Osamu had a plan. It would also let him know they she didn't have anything concrete she needed to do.

Twirling her umbrella she moves to stand beside the Mantis, almost shoulder to shoulder. She turns her head to look up into his eyes expectantly and with great curiosity. She was awaiting his lead.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

That was a bit closer then he epected, but he didn't mind, or at least didn't seem to mind as he stepped forward into the rain again. "I was hoping to pick up a few bottles of some local sake, if i ever make it back home I'd like to have a few to share with family and friends. Maybe another sake cup or two as well, in case there is a time in the coming days to entertain."

"There are a couple other places I had in mind as well for other odds and ends. What abotu you though, anywhere you wish to stop by?"

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"Sake is good. Whether for oneself, for others as a gift or for sharing with friends. Have you tried many Crab sake blends Osamu-sama?" She asks, keeping pace with the Mantis.

"Iie. Osamu-sama invited me. I am quite content already." Maiya realised a moment later she should clarify that. "I mean, it's just my cousin and I, and all we can do is wait for the enemy. It gets boring doing training each day. Baths are nice and seeing a few samurai I know is fun, but I don't get invited out much. Even with the rain, it's a nice excuse to have a relaxing afternoon with good company, ne?"

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"A few. Sometimes I make it down to crab ports for my duties, and crab sake is always a popular treat after being at see for a while." He reached up a hand to rub his chin as he leads then towards a shop that looks like it might sell sake. "Though I suppose it's more the popular blends and not those that are especially rare."

"I'll certainly agree with that, Kaiu-sama." He replied looking towards the young woman and offerign a smile. "I spend far too much time drinkign of late because indoor activies are rather limited. Thoguh I suppose I could do with spending a little time at the dojo as well now that you mention it."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

Maiya lifted a hand to chuckle behind as she nodded in agreement. "I know how that is. Actually, I've come across two patrons of sake breweries in Crab lands while in this city. Nike-sake, ne?"

"The dojo here is nice. It has a lot of training dummies. Let me know if you need a sparring partner, ne? In fact, I was there this morning with a Dragon and an Imperial. It was pretty interesting."

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"Ah, the city draws them to it does it?" He asked with a sift chuckle. "I'm still suprised to find two patrons of such establishments here though, perhaps they brought samples of their wares?"

Arriving at the shop he stepped to the side so she could lead the way indoors. "That's a kind offer Kaiu-sama, though it would likely be more you teachign me then an actual spar. My skills with weapons aren't the best after all."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"They both certainly did." Maiya is pleased to report!

Sensing his intentions outside the shop after a couple of seconds she lowers her umbrella and sets it down to head inside. "Well, weapon skill isn't the main focus of shugenja, ne? I imagine you also have to learn more than most, what with sailing, naval combat and the extra importance of weather to ships. Whenever there is a storm nearly all Crab ships have to dock. I always hear stories from the Yasuki about how many pirates there are though, so some weapon skill might be useful as a fall back."

Inside the sake shop she begins browsing; picking up the odd bottle to have a smell or asking questions to the owner. She also paid close attention to Osamu to see what sort of sake he was looking for.

Pretty Woman (Day 9 EA)

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