[Day One - Early Morning] Smells like...Enlightenment

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Hmm.." Wasako murmured with a moment's frown when Osamu didn't seem too eager in getting a tattoo done, especially the opportunity to have his tale personally translated by Mai as she would hope for. "Well, I guess you do have enough tattoos that you should be mindful of other ones you might get..."

She looked to Mai with a hopeful smile, "There are others here, maybe I will keep an ear out and find people who might also be open to getting a tattoo."

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

He chuckled softly and shook his head. "It's not that i'm overly mindful of such things, it's more that my life is not really full of heroic moments one makes tales out of. Most of my duties consist of escorting our vessels in their journey across the waves, and while we sometimes face storms or pirates and the like. It's nothing that I would call heroic. Though I suppose there might be a tattoo there somewhere."

"If i'm going to immortalize that sort of moment on my skin I'd like to take some time deciding on it? Though that might be something to discuss with Togashi-sama in more detail as well."

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"Hai," she said, with the glint of a smile. "You may be surprised by what stories you can find in your life that will show to me what tattoo best symbolizes your path Mantis-sama. Together, I am certain we can sift through the tales you might tell me to find such a symbol," she nodded with affirmation.

Then, to Wasako she returned with the glimmer of a smile, "I would be most honored if you directed any such person in my direction, that I might practice my art, Mirumoto Wasako-sama. Never could I expect to ask so much of you, but if you decide upon this path yourself I have no intention to be anything but greatly appreciative of the service you would do me."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"To be honest, I'm a bit at a loss at how I would approach people about such a proposal," she said before she glanced to Osamu for a moment and looking to his tattoos. The baths probably made it easier to determine if people were already inclined to such art and tastes, although there were probably a few repercussions by doing that. "I'm just curious to see how you would go about performing your art and turning people's stories into visuals. Of course, I'm sure those are likely going to be personal and only privy to you."

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"There is an art to it Mirumoto Wasako-sama, for some it is as easy as seeing in them the strength of the lion through their story. Many such stories are shared as easily alongside sake as they are in preparation for being under my needle," she said, massaging her shoulder opposite Void.

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

"A bit of sake does aide in the telling of stories. Or at least it seems more likely that people will be open to sharing them over a few drinks." The young mantis offered from his seat, he noticed the mirumoto looking at his tattoos but he didn't move to hide them. It was the subject of conversation after all.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Sake..." Wasako murmured in thought and shook her head. "Unfortunately, I can't say that I really drink sake but perhaps I could consider eavesdropping at a sake bar. I would also have to forgo my manners too...Are you not sure that such stories could be shared over tea?"

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"Such stories could be shared in many situations," she confirmed with a nod, "but I merely mean to say that sake is often one to influence a man to speak in greater length about their personal accomplishments. As Mantis-sama here has been so kind as to support with his own offering of understanding."

Ikoma Toshiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:09 pm **Posts:** 38

A slightly older woman with her hair tied up in a bun and a thick towel wrapped around her went for a sit next to the hot water. She would nod politely at all the people who had already arrived and were amicably discussing something. Toshiko did not mind all the noise in the morning, having been up quite early when her husband had begun his morning training. The man had no sense of proper sleep schedule.

"Please ignore me, I just need to breathe in some of the moist air." The Lion said before sitting down near a rising plume of steam. It had been one of her rituals since having to spend the Winter Court in Toshi no Omoidoso.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako perked up at the other woman who entered their area in the onsen and bowed politely in greeting. "It seems unjustified to ignore you when we could include you, samurai-san," she said with a faint smirk.

She gestured to herself at first. "This one is Mirutomo Wasako," then she gestured to both Mai and Osamu. "And I am with Togashi Mai and Osamu. We've been talking about how to turn ideas into body art, more or less."

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

"Addmitedly i'm a bit partial to sake, a ship isn't the most practiclal place to heat water for tea. So it's not something I partake in all that often." Osamu offered with a small shrug. "Not that I dislike it or anything, it's a nice change of pace when I do have the chance to partake."

A polite nod from his place in the baths was given to the older woman as Wasako introduced them, as she said there was no reason to ignore the woman's presence if she wanted to join in on the conversation.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"It would be a pleasure to have you join us Samurai-sama," she addressed the new comer but then glanced at her conversational partners before she continued.

"However, I may not wish to drag you from a moment of peace and relaxation with your thoughts if that was what you hoped to find here. I would then only hope that you would not be disturbed by our conversation continuing."

Ikoma Toshiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:09 pm **Posts:** 38

"Oh my..." She puts a hand to her mouth reflexively. The Ikoma takes a moment to look over the three samurai and note any obvious tattoos.

"I am Ikoma Toshiko, pleasure to meet you. I am afraid I don't have much to offer about body art. I have none myself, and most of my clan will wait until retirement before getting any of the sort. Though they do pick up a particular collection of scars..." She trailed off thinking about the many, many scars Lion (Matsu) samurai acquire.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Admittedly as Toshiko talked, she found herself looking at her intently for any signs of tattoos, likely to the point of ogling. However, she would soon find out that she didn't have any. Finding a viable prospect was going to be far more difficult than the thought.

"That's fine as I admittedly don't have any myself. I found myself very interested in Togashi-san's talent in turning tales into an interpretive visual art. I'm sure when she able to practice it, it would be a treat to both the volunteer and everyone else, should we get the opportunity to watch."

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

Osamu let the women talk, there was little for him to add at the moment after all. Though he did find some amusement in how Wasako was staring at everyone. He wondered if she even noticed.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

Mai, over course, was covered in them. Especially to the viewpoint of one who has not had any such work done. Shifting in the water she focused herself toward the Lion for the moment, offering a kind and slightly proud demeanor.

"It is a pleasure Ikoma Toshiko-sama, and as you have likely surmised by now I am an artisan following the way of the Tattoo. As Mirumoto Wasako-sama has explained I take the stories of those who would seek a tattoo from me and interpret it into an appropriate symbol for them, with them. All art has meaning, but it is the art of the tattoo that should represent best the individual who wears it."

Ikoma Toshiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 5:09 pm **Posts:** 38

"Inking skin seems terribly personal to me. To know someone's life so intimately before getting to speak with them...I think I almost prefer the distance of courtly manners. If I was to get one, I couldn't imagine what it might be." Toshiko considered it for a bit staring at the bare skin of her arm and touching the back of her neck thoughtfully. The towel thankfully kept her modesty intact.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"Personal as it is, many of the tattoo's I have done have come from those tales that one would boast of themselves in a crowded establishment for the joy of their conversation partners," she said, a calm nature to her voice that was layered in to assuage any unease.

"Of course, I would not imagine to attempt to convince Ikoma Toshiko-sama of doing something she is uncomfortable with. However, I can make the assurance that the art can be directed in such a way to ensure comfort. As well, that part of the process of speaking with me about your deeds is meant to remove just that kind of uncertainty."

She glanced at Osamu, "Though it assures me there is proper meaning to the art to do it in this way as well. There are, yet, still those who have a proper idea of exactly what they wish and I am all but too happy to oblige their request."

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

"It's not like you will be showing your tattoos to everyone you might meet either. Their are plenty of places on your body that most don't see unless they are close to you." Or well if you were in the baths and were baring all.

"Though I'd also they they aren't for everyone, many go through their life without them more then actually get them I'd wager."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"I supposed it's good to have the option than not," she said with a few nods at the Ikoma's direction. "I don't have good knowledge of this town but at least you know of someone in attendance that offers this set of skills? Perhaps you might have a realization later on? I think Osamu-san is thinking of one for himself."

[Day One - Early Morning] Smells like...Enlightenment

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