D2LM, Turtle Waxing (Open)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 3:51 pm

Having composed his notes from the previous day into something like order, Kasuga Seitouna takes the opportunity to wash yesterday off of himself before settling in for a somewhat stinky soak.

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

The Kasuga was not alone for long, as Chinatsu stepped into the bags to clean off after a long session at the dojo. Being a married woman and a Matsu she didn't give much thought to modesty upon seeing the man already in the baths and sat herself down to diligently wash and scrape the sweat and dirt off of her body. She managed to do this with her one arm with an ease that showed long experience with her condition before finally rinsing one last time and moving over to the baths to soak. With no clothes on it was easy to see that indeed most of her arm was gone, leaving only perhaps half of her upper arm left, which had mostly atrophied past her shoulder.

"Samurai-san." Chinatsu greeted the man.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 6:18 pm

Seitouna averts his eyes after a moment--he can hardly be faulted for seeing who is joining him, right?--until his companion enters the water.

Then he says, with a slight inclination of his head--a fuller bow being out of the question under the circumstances--"Kasuga Seitouna. Whom might I ask if she has had rice today?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu pauses for a long moment, running through the list of visitors in her mind before coming upon the name. "Ah, gomen, Kasuga-sama. This one is Matsu Chinatsu. I have eaten, and you?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 6:39 pm

Seitouna takes the hint from the honorific and another from the name and gives the partial bow again. "I have been able to, yes, thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Lion here."

He shifts slightly, the water rushing to flow over another part of him.

"I hope your family is well," he offers.

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"Think nothing of it, Kasuga-sama." She says with a tiny smile. "All servants of the Empire shall be protected behind these walls." She pauses momentarily at the mention of her family and then shrugs. "I am the only one of my family here, though I expect that in the coming days they will be preparing for war once again. You were probably expecting to be nearly home by now yourself, I expect?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 7:28 pm

"Likely soon to head thence, but, well, matters have been decided otherwise."

He takes a deep breath.

"I have been in tighter quarters, to be sure, and less pleasant. It is a good place to be."

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu guessed that the Tortoise was referring to their strange boats that she'd heard of with that comment.

"Well, I expect that if the Traitor's army comes this way, it will simply be a matter of holding out for a few weeks. If he is to have any hope of achieving his goal he will need to reach Otosan Uchi quickly before the Capital can raise enough forces to oppose him." She paused, remembering the Tortoises comment on her family.

"Even such a time should give the capital time to prepare though." She added.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 7:52 pm

"I can scarcely imagine that the capital would need much time to be ready, truly. From what I have seen from the ports, there are many stationed there, and report says the city has its own defenses.

"I confess, however, that I have no desire to see them tested."

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

She nodded at that. "Nor do I. Unfortunately, I feel such a matter is beyond our ability to influence anymore." The Matsu took a deep breath and sighed at that, the movement causing ripples through the bath.

It was time to change the topic. "So were you at the Winter Court, Kasuga-sama?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:18 pm

"I was not, Matsu-san, but I had not long arrived in Toshi no Omoidasu before, well..."

He trails off meaningfully.

"Time and tide wait for no man, truly, and the path from the port was clear enough. I wonder if it remains so after the weather."

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu shrugged on that point. "I expect you know more about cold weather fouling ports than I. It's been cold enough though that perhaps the snow and ice will stick long enough. Honestly I've rarely spent any time near a coast. Only time really was several years ago, but it was during a winter in Phoenix lands so it really wasn't a good time to go view the water."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 9:35 pm

"I've not spent much time in Phoenix waters, to be sure. But there is a certain beauty to a rough sea in the winter. The tracings of ice it leaves behind can be quite intricate, well worth the contemplation--and all the better from within a warm place!"

He chuckles a bit at the juxtaposition.

"I gather, though, Matsu-san, that this is a longer-term assignment for you. Do I have the right of that?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu shook her head slightly. "It was bitterly cold, and we weren't allowed down by the beach anyway, perhaps that had been for the best because that was where the Naga came from."

"This is one of many assignments, many were up in or near Dragon lands for awhile. I was stationed here for the winter but had been preparing to head back home when the news broke." She continues, looking up at the thick wall of clouds in the sky.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 10:09 pm

"That would change things, from what I've heard."

He nods.

"Where is home for you?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"Kyuden Ikoma." Chinatsu responded with an air of obviousness, then paused. "Or as close to it anyway. My family home is at Shiro Matsu, I have no children of my own yet and my husband..." She comes to a slow stop and then just shrugs. "He finds more enjoyment wandering the Empire and I see little reason to call him home."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 1:38 am

"His duties take him far, then?" He nods. "It is not a thing with which the Tortoise are unfamiliar, certainly."

He shrugs in turn. "Then again, I would guess it is so for many."

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu lifted her arm out of the water and rubbed some of the water into her shoulder and down her back. "Duties? Perhaps. He is rather..." She paused for a long moment, looking down into the water. "Free spirited." She looked back up at Seitouna. "He was not born among the Lion but among the Dragon." She offers as though that is all the explanation needed.

"What about you, Kasuga-sama? Where is your home, and do you have someone waiting for you?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:46 pm

Seitouna nods to Chinatsu's words; being born a Dragon explains much.

So does being born a Tortoise, as it happens.

But to her question, he replies "Home port for me, Matsu-san, is the Port of the Golden Sun, where my branch of the Family has lived for quite some time. And while I am always glad to see my parents and my sister again, I have not yet been wedded off."

He shrugs. "It makes sense enough. I was at sea when arrangements would normally have been made, and the sea does not always allow the return of those who sail."

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"Well may the Fortunes bless you when the time comes for matrimony, Kasuga-sama." Chinatsu responded, bowing her head to the man a little. That probably would have been good to drink to, but alas this was an onsen.

She nodded at his further comments, imagining being at sea much like being on the field. "I have heard stories though, of sea captains or their shugenja overseeing weddings at sea. Any truth to that?"

D2LM, Turtle Waxing (Open)

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