Scott
Kokuto wrote the letter to Kobe, feeling satisfied at her discovery. She had quite forgotten the reason for the discovery was the letter to Bayushi Yuto and how she had confused the days and didn't know until she had returned home, having explored the gardens alone since none had stopped her. She had the foresight to dress in her work "Rags" As others called them; perfectly normal and serviceable clothes that could take a staining just fine, it wasn't her fault they just happened to be no better quality and rather similar cut of peasants garb.

She had met Kobe at the entrance and explained how she had been there two days before, then showed him around to the different sections while pointing out different plants of interest. She answered questions, showed nifty details, and explained the similarities between plants; she even showed the difference between the completely harmless varieties and their deadly counterparts.

Somewhere along the way, she pulled out a short blade well curved from rehoning that showed how used it was. An unholy gleam lit her eyes, "Ready to gather cuttings?" She spent the next few hours showing him the different methods of gathering clippings for propagation.

Being the over prepared individual when it came to collections, Kokuto had small strips of cloth to wrap each clipping in. She even showed Kobe how to get root trimmings from one deadly plant without risking exposure to oneself. Sadly, they had reached a point of having to remove her fine haori to carry the clippings. This did not diminish her enthusiasm for them one bit. In fact, at one point she had to get down and dirty to reach one rare specimen she had been itching to get her stained fingers on in the middle of a display. She emerged from the finely cultivated plants with dirt stains on her knees, blackened fingernails, and messy frazzled hair, a twig with a leaf on one side of her head and flower petal wedged in her hair, the widest grin yet making her teeth shine white below the gleaming jets of her eyes.

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Steven
Tucked away amidst the garden's winding paths and secret corners, Agasha Kokuto and Kuni Kobe moved with purpose. The park was a lush oasis, vibrant with the colors and scents of exotic flora. Kokuto, with her deep knowledge of botany and alchemy, guided Kobe through the verdant rows with ease. He watched studiously as she described taking the sample where the stem was hardy but not too woody—little bits of practical advice in between rolling up individual cuttings. 

Kuni Kobe was wearing his usually whimsical robes. Today, the embroidered crabs were Sumi Athletes in traditional attire. Kobe still managed to get a few stains on his robes. He didn't seem to mind, focusing entirely on the task at hand. The dirt on his hands and the occasional leaf in his hair only seemed to add to his boyish charm.

As they went, he would carefully take the clippings she handed him and wrap them with the same care she had shown. His hands were gentle and precise. As Kokuto showed him the method for extracting root trimmings from the dangerous plant, Kobe leaned in closely, paying keen attention to every detail. "Incredible," He murmured, his voice low with reverence. "I hadn't considered taking that approach, Agasha-sama. That simplifies things so much!"

Kuni Kobe watched with admiration and amusement as Agasha Kokuto delved into the heart of the plant display, emerging like a triumphant explorer from a dense jungle. Her passion for plants would have been infectious if it wasn't already shared. The boy even clapped for her! Kokuto's disheveled appearance only seemed to endear her more to Kobe. He chuckled as he carefully removed the twig and flower petal from her hair, oblivious to any social faux pas. "You wear nature well," He teased lightly, his laughter mingling with the rustling of the plants around them.

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John
It wasn't an exaggeration to say the punctual Magistrate was late, and by quite a bit. Due to such short notice, the man had tried to make accommodations for the occasion. Though he didn't have enough time to address things with the gardener, hoping they'd be tolerant to such short notice. They wouldn't mind the two of them picking a few flowers, wouldn't they? Yuto could only guess as he made his way to the Gardens from the palace—hoping his grogginess didn't delay him too much.

Still suffering a plethora of injuries from his last mission, he hoped to hide the injuries although he didn't do the best job. While this was an informal occasion, showing respect to his guest was of the utmost importance. Thus he wore very traditional attire for a scorpion, donning a black kimono and crimson hakama. Some of Yutos dark hair was pulled back into a topknot, with the rest draping over his back and shoulders. To put the dragon at ease, both Wakizashi and Katana were worn on his right. 

One notable feature from the Bayushi was missing, that being his Mempo that hid his face. Which he assumed is where Kokuto got the name Saru from, she was funny that one.. Instead he wore the red silk over the lower half of his face, one of his eyes were covered by bandages though. Hiding the embarrassing and healing black eye he sustained. 

Having a firm grip around the handle to the basket he carried, he'd have finally made it to the gardens after very slow walking. Roaming for a decent while until spotting whom he sought out. At first he smiled, until seeing her accomplice, and what they were doing... 

*'Was hoping it'd just be the two of us on a simple stroll... Well it should be fine, I can assume they went ahead and got permission from the caretakers...'* 

The young man thought to himself, before approaching to greet the two cats who clawed their way through the plots of plants and flowers. "Agasha-san, the fortunes have clearly shined their light for me to see you again. They've also unveiled a welcomed opportunity in acquiring another friend, Crab-sama." 

||
Scott
At the applause, Kokuto bowed in imitation of the actors and actresses she had seen a few times before. Her cheeks were flushed with the excitement and exertion of sneaking up on her prey. She couldn't be giving the plants any forewarning to run away. It was odd to her, though; the plants seemed to not mind having clippings taken, some even had expressed joy and relief, especially upon her mentioning she'd take good care to root the clipping just right for that plant. She shook the strange feeling away with a shake of her head.

The petal came away like fresh fallen snow, landing in her open palms as she moved them to be the ground with a small moue of sorrow. The twig, however, was infinitely more difficult to extricate. It seemed to have been wrapped around a half-pulled strand from her bun, making a ridiculously messy arc above her head, then shoved through next to her scalp. It even resisted being pulled, though it caused her relatively little discomfort in its resistance. "Gah, leave it be. It can hope of a better life for a while yet," She told him with mild amusement.

The call of her name tore her attention from the plant clippings; she looked up and around for a moment. She twisted to look upside down behind her. She frowned for a long moment before she placed the voice and frame with a missing mask. "Oh! Sasuri Saru-san!" Kokuto exclaimed as she twisted back upright, overcorrected and fell into the display of pretty but thorny flowers they had left untouched. She cried out softly, more of disappointment at landing amongst the plants she had spent such effort preserving despite her hunting. She waved her hands between the two of them, as if making introductions despite her position in the bushes, "Saru-san, I introduce Kuni Kobe, a fellow enthusiast in experimentation and the scientific. Kuni-kun, I introduce, ah, Ba-yushi, hm, ouch, Yun-yuto." Perhaps the hesitation was from her attempts to extricate herself, rather than any lapse of memory.

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Tracy
"Hmmm, It seems the report I got from my caretakers was correct. Some samurai parading around my garden." An elderly voice toned. To match the voice a man well into his twilight approached the group. His back was arched and he gait was slowed from the ravages of time but his movement was purposeful. "Why, dragon-san, are you resting in my flowers?" He said in a chiding way.
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Steven
As Bayushi Yuto approached, Kobe smiled and gave a small bow. If he noticed the Scorpion's magistrate's size and gravitas, it did not bother him. "Bayushi-sama, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Kuni Kobe, just a humble researcher." His voice was friendly, the warmth in his tone genuine. The grinning fool glanced around at the garden, his respect for the space evident. "This garden is a treasure, Bayushi-sama. The care and dedication it must require... It's inspiring," He said earnestly, his eyes wandering over the lush greenery around them.

When the elderly caretaker appeared, a look of concern crossed his features. Raised among the brusque and objective-oriented Crab, the young shugenja's social skills were not terribly *Advanced.* His one courtier technique was Damare-Do: The Art of Shutting *All the Way* Up. While the curvature of his facepaint was busy exaggerating even the merest of Kobe's expressions, proudly announcing his nervousness... The boy himself poured the totality of his focus into holding back the tide of conversation threatening to burst forth. The effort was visible. And pointless.

"***Your*** Garden, Scorpion-sama?!? This place is stunning! The spot over there with the grove of stonewood trees surrounding that patch of variegated Isawa's Tears? Those guys came from such different growing conditions; how do you even keep the soils separate?" The flow of words was both exuberant and unseemly. Proper samurai are not supposed to show this much emotion in public, after all, and that was only the beginning of the social faux pas at work here. 

||
John
It wasn't difficult to see the confusion upon Yutos expression, though it was primarily concern masked by a soft smile. The two were certainly enjoying themselves, Kokuto especially. While on most occasions he'd have extended himself to prevent a tumble, his battle weary condition didn't permit any sudden movements. Thus he watched and frowned meekly as she crushed the plants beneath her. Letting out a soft exhale, he turned to Kuni Kobe, Kokuto was enthusiastic in his introduction. Must have been good friends if she addressed him as 'Kuni-kun'

*'A Humble Researcher..? Trampling through someone else's gardens isn't the most humble act.. But until I've cleaned up my own act I can't judge a crab for their impetuosity..'* The Scorpion thought to himself. 

Giving a nod to the man, he smiled. "Indeed, A treasure that has been inspiring us to give it care for centuries. Of course time does not take away natures fragility—No matter how long the ant tends to the hill, a single misstep will collapse it all the same." This might have been too obvious of an implication, but he made sure to keep himself kind and resolute. Though in his petty comment the Magistrate had only just now took note of the second Scorpions presence. 

Upon a quick observation, the young man put together the elder was likely not a Gardener himself anymore, but perhaps an overseer. Having visited the gardens often the Magistrate couldn't say he had seen him before. Showing the man respect, he'd have faced him and bowed deeply for a proper greeting. "The fault is mine, I meant to meet with a Caretaker so that a tour could be fortuitous for our Apothecary. My notice was short, but that is no excuse." 

Not only was he here on short notice but the man wasn't exactly skipping today. The Bayushi hoped this could be resolved without any tensions accumulating. 

||
Scott
The stained hand froze at the sound of an older voice. Both of her companions were young, much younger than she, and this voice was even older than her. She attempted to extricate herself to see but was only able to catch a glimpse of the elderly gentleman. The thorny branches were well and truly sunk into her clothes and resisted any attempt of hers to pull herself up. "Oof, oh. Ouch! Stop that," She mumbled a bit, "Oh, hello. Resting this one is not. Ack!" The noises and protestations she gave the different vines perforated the air just as much as the thorns had to her clothes, and perhaps her skin in some spots. 

"Said STOP!" She shouted at the vines in a ringing voice, pulling herself out of the vines. 

One last heave of effort and she spilled out; she landed in a tumble at someone's feet. The poor little alchemist truly looked the worse for wear now. There were pinprick holes all throughout her drab brown clothes, some larger with a suspicious darkening on the surrounding cloth. "Ouchie owowowow. Oh, getting too old for this," She groaned as she very slowly straightened back out.

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Tracy
The elderly man cleared his throat as the woman spilled from the briars and straightened up in front of him.

"Now, I'll ask again now that Dragon-san has un-accosted herself: What do you want from my garden, Samurai-san? I am the Caretaker of this garden and have been since Hantei the 37th. But your notice went unanswered because I do not give tours of my garden to those without invitation from the gove- Scorpion ambassador, and certainly not to those who cannot stop from traipsing over my flowers." The old man said, rubbing his weathered hands together. It was obvious his patience for people was intensely short and as irritating for him as the rashes cropping up on the dragon's arms and legs.
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Steven
*Oh. **Oh.***
*Oh, no. Not Again.*

Kobe wasn't exactly sure what was wrong. He didn't know *For sure* How in trouble he was about to be in, either. 

You know what he did know, though? He knew the sound of **Dissapointed authority**. That was a sound he knew like the back of his hand, and he was hearing it right now. That realization slowly sinking in caused the flow of questions and compliments to trail into uncomfortable silence. This time, he wasn't going to do his best to stick to the art of silence. Hopefully, there was an answer between the Dragon and the Magistrate that would placate the Elder Gardener.

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John
This clearly wasn't going to go well. Kokuto was very much in her own world, not connected to the current situation they were facing. It was clear the old gardener wasn't having it either, who conveniently had not introduced himself yet. Likely he was going to press the matter forward, especially since he established authority and history with how long the mystery man governed the gardens.. Sighing to himself, Yuto ought to intervene and do something. 

"Surely there's an angle we can see eye to eye, Agasha-san, and Kuni-san, meant no disrespect. Besides, an opportunity has befallen us. Is the foundation of a garden not built by those finding seeds to help grow?" 

Yuto wasn't really sure where he was going with this, within mere moments of this conversation the Magistrate didn't wanna be here anymore. His eye hurt, his ribs hurt, his arm hurt, and now his head hurt. Wanting things to move around he was partially worried about the dragon, looking as though she pricked herself on something bad. 

"You've dedicated many years to the perfections of our gardens, it'd be a shame for its awe to only be seen by the benighted and those with unappreciative eyes. Can we not be spared a few minutes to reaffirm these trudged soils?" 

||
Scott
Kokuto righted herself, mostly. She had gotten no further than a seated position when the lecturing began. "Traipsing?" She stood upright, or as upright as one can be when they remain in their knees. "This one did not *Traipse* Through flowers! It is not being right to disturb the cultivars of such magnificence," She said is a sharp, quick voice. 

Reminded of just the things she had been admiring and the man's status as gardener, she shuffled forward in an abrupt motion on her knees, while her eyes shone with an intensity that made her cheeks glow with a rosy hue. She stopped short of actually bumping into the poor old gardener.

"You are the grower and carer of such lovely and fantastical plants that are being singing such sweet music of their care? Getting the plant to grow how?" She pointed to a notoriously difficult tropical species in one corner, her eyes glittered just a touch as they watered with the intensity of her emotions. She barely heard Yuto but one fragment made it to her ears; she figuratively pounced on it and ran away with the idea. "Seeds! Yes, growing seeds! Growing that must be found!" She continued to stare at the gardener with increasingly swimming sight. "Perfection it is being."

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Tracy
The old man Huffed and turned away for a moment. "Tend to what you've disrupted and we'll see about a tour. If you can keep your hands off my flowers." 

The Gardener was genuinely upset about the flowers, but his voice didn't convey anger anymore. Rarely did anyone ask or seem genuine about the care and maintenance of his life work. His earlier annoyance was turning into something altogether different. *Curiosity."

"Bayushi-san, how did you come to accompany a Crab and a Dragon?"
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Steven
Despite his stern warning, the elder gardener had given them the chance to remedy their error. He nodded eagerly as the old gardener spoke about tending to the disrupted plants. "Of course, Scorpion-sama," Kobe crouched down, his hands moving skillfully as he carefully examined the affected flora. Kobe's hands, stained with a mix of earth and plant pigments, worked delicately to undo the unintentional chaos. He murmured soothing words to the plants, almost as if he believed they could understand and forgive.

As the old gardener seemed to soften, revealing a hint of curiosity in his gaze, Kobe seized the opportunity. "Agasha-sama and I, along with Bayushi-sama here, share a common interest in the wonders of nature." The Earth Shugenja continued to work on restoring the greener, his fingers gently coaxing the leaves back into their natural positions. "Your garden is a marvelous thing, sir. The only things that I know about how to grow some of these little guys is that it shouldn't be possible without regular snow... And that it's planted next to fronds from the Mantis Isle!"

He looked at the Dragon samurai waxing eloquently from her knees, "We'll be careful, I promise." It's not that he didn't notice the flushed checks, shining eyes, and small wounds on Kokuto. It's that she seemed only just a little bit poisoned at the moment. Righting the damage done from her fall was more pressing. The Crab was sure that she would agree. 
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John
Watching all this unfold was unreal, almost like it was out of a play. The Agasha didn't fail in making the Bayushi almost laugh, lucky he wore a silk veil. Containing the amusement, he continued to observe, glad to see the gardener was open to mending the misunderstanding. Had things gone differently, Yuto would certainly have regret coming. While he knew a bit about nature and could appreciate it, he certainly wasn't a fanatic over every plant in the garden. These two however... 

Before he could answer the mans question, Kobe already did. While he could share the details, the Magistrate figured to simply go along with things. "Indeed, those with an appreciation for Nature and are heedful of what it can provide are sure to come together." While that wasn't the actual story, Yuto certainly didn't feel like sharing the truth. Being that they simply shared a meal by coincidence and an offer was extended nonchalantly.

*'Now that I think about it... Why did I offer a tour? Was I trying to score a date or something? Eh, who can remember. Maybe I can work an angle, can't do that if she's dead..'* He'd think to himself—still staring at the rash spreading on the Apothecary. 

"You know, Nature and History are often entangled. Your vast education of Flora is impressive, Agasha-san, Kuni-san, how much history do you know of this city's most abundant garden? Perhaps um, Shosuro-sama can bestow some infatuating history! You've tended these gardens since Hantei the 37th! Have any walked these grounds in your service?" 

He took note of it earlier but completely forgot to inquire the man's name. Yuto was really just taking a guess. Could he be a Tokagure or a Shosuro? Well, right or wrong this was Yutos attempt to change the tone of this encounter. 

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Scott
Kokuto blinked rapidly before she hurried to help right the plants she had fallen into. In contrast to Kobe's soothing words, Kokuto's were all of admonishment. She scratched absently at her ribs. She fussed at the plants for grabbing onto her and "Being mean" As she gently helped to set them right. She scratched at her upper left arm. One critical look and the spot only showed an indentation from her rapid embrace to those that knew it to be there.

The little alchemist gave Yuto a knowing smile, though she had to clear her throat before she spoke, "Fate has a way of drawing those together that are needed. Wisdom of Togashi is being vast." She slowly scratched absently at her neck. One stained and dirty hand waved lightly.

As Yuto mentioned history and nature and her knowledge, Kokuto shrugged genially, not displeased by the recognition but not overly flattered, "Of course they be entwined like lovers. Many plants be outliving people. Whole civilizations beneath the feet could be here. Food for the deep-reaching roots." She gestured at the ground, fingers mimicking roots digging through the earth. She did a weird little shimmy to shift her clothes over her skin. It didn't suit her needs. Her hand rubbed down her leg, as if rubbing out a cramp.

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John
He was quite fascinated by the Dragons unbothered nature. Here she had dirt and flowers in her hair, a rash spreading, and grime all over her. However, she were more entranced by the gardens—without any cause for concern. It was almost like a child who ignored their scrape or cut, inevitably they'd come to regret it later. 

*'Maybe I'll just wait and see when she notices...'* He thought to himself. 

"A very creative way to put it, Agasha-san. Can't say I've ever thought of entangling roots as 'lovers', could make for a nice poem."

Shifting his gaze to Kuni Kobe, he was also unique. While he couldn't determine the man's age, one sensed a young spirit full of naïveté and desire to experience. Typically these sorts of people are drawn together, so it was no question how he and Kokuto met. 

"So, Kuni-san, you're quite knowledgeable of botany as well. I take it you practice medicine? With what you've gleamed and collected thus far, what would you make?" 

 A question to raise conversation and test one's skill. While he wasn't particularly challenging the man, it would be good to see what went through the mind of the crab. 

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Scott
Kokuto coughed to clear her throat. Was it itching? She frowned. "Well, you can be crediting this one with the idea when you write such a poem, then," She said with a slight hitch, her heart had just skipped a beat. She hadn't touched any of the dangerous plants with a scratch, had she? 

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Steven
As the others spoke, Kobe casually opened one of the bags that he had carrying with him. Bobbing his head as the two spoke of history and poetry, he pulled out a bundle of crumpled papers. The young boy opened one at a time, mummering to himself as he did. "*No... Not that one... I haven't lost anything... Not hungry... Not sleepy... No errant fires... No monsters... Why am I even carrying this one, when would I need a boulder **Really**...,*" It took a few more wadded up notes before he got to the one that held what he was looking far, "*...Here we go.*"

He heard the magistrate's question and looked up, "Oh, from the fun things that we have found so far I could definitely make a few things to wake you up if you were feeling drowsy or help you sleep if you sought it out." He smiled, his default expression, before continuing. "I could also craft a quick purgative if you had accidentally ingested poison. Speaking of poison... Agasha-sama? Looks like you got nicked there by one of the more aggressive little fellows. I've got something for that, though. Hold on, a bit." 

Kobe then clapped three times, the sharp rapports carrying in the quiet air of the garden. The Kuni shugenja then kneeled. The words of magic that he spoke were nonsensical to most, but the tone was with a respect and reverence that the boy reserved for the kami and the fortunes alone.

*"Oh, mighty spirits of Earth, guardians of vitality and endurance, I beseech your benevolence. It is with profound reverence that I implore you to envelop this suffering vessel in your purity and resilience. Protect them from the pernicious poisons that assail the mortal form and expel any that might already besiege them. It is only through you that they may feel the solace of Jurojin's Soothing Balm."*

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John
These two were certainly fascinating to say the least. Had it not been for Yuto finding them first, the scorpions tending to the gardens would have put blades to them. However he was much more relaxed and open, seeing as he was greatly injured he found no need to stress even further. Slowly he started to enjoy the company of the two, chuckling as Kokuto asked for credit of such a poem. 

When he looked to Kobe, who relatively seemed scatterbrained in about everything he did. The crab also picked up on her poison, but what came as more of a shock was the revelation afterwards. He was a Shugenja! Well it made sense given his off put nature, but casting such a spell was rather fascinating. 

He wondered if they had anything that could heal his injuries... While he often left it to time to heal, the Magistrate had many duties to attend. Perhaps the chance of recovering quicker would be to some benefit.. 

*'Eh, I'm here to gain trust and useful contacts. Better to let them enjoy themselves than ask favors..'* Bayushi Yuto thought to himself. 

"A very fine gift indeed, and a great eye, Kuni-san. You two have quite an attentive chemistry to one another, I take it you work together quite frequently?" He asked the two. 

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Scott
"No, these scratches be from the harmless one's grip," The alchemist spoke in a dreamy voice, distracted and half focused on narrowing down her symptoms. Did she change clothes after her last experiment? She thought she had, but something bothered her about it. Did she finish undressing? Hadn't she been disturbed by a pressing need?

Something interrupted her musings. It was familiar. She suppressed a cough. Kobe's pleas to the spirits finally penatrated her thoughts enough to recognize, too late to do anything. "Wait! No!" Her hand stretched out in a futile attempt to stop him. She wilted as she felt the spirits of earth rise happily to help. "It just be harmless dose of aconite poisoning," She said in a deflated tone, "It still be on the clothes." She sounded almost sad. Perhaps it was regret at the thought of missed opportunity of a new experience and first hand accounting. The thought lanced through her. "It still be on the clothes!" Her hands moved frantically to undo stays and remove material.

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Steven
"Oh, Aconite? Such cute little blue flowers. That explains..." The boy's eyes widened as the Dragon began removing the contaminated garments. Typically, it would have been a solid plan to prevent exposure. "No need, that's unnecessary. Wait a moment. It'll be alright. You're fully protected from all poison for a long time, now. We might want to end this outing early, though. The Earth Kami will not protect you with their grace for longer than an hour, and caution is advised. They are dependable, though... They won't change their minds early." 

Then, there was a short pause. 

"This is your chance to learn what hemlock and oleander taste like."
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John
Yuto didn't think he'd ever have to react to something like this. While he was relatively knowledgeable of plants and nature, he certainly wouldn't claim to be advance as these two. Kokuto and Kobe were interesting individuals to say the least, however.. In her denial of help and insistence to take off her clothes, the Magistrate made a panicked expression. While the other Shugenja merely protested, the Scorpion took an even bolder action. 

He quickly pulled his Haori off, ignoring the pain and resistance that the cast over his arm gave. If any rumors spread this would've hurt his reputation more than it already was. Due to their difference in size, the Haori would have served as a blanket that shrouded the entirety of her figure as he threw it over her. Not wanting the dragon to indulge in public nudity, this was a popular garden! Her first instinct to strip down says a lot.. After throwing the Haori over her frame he'd have completely turned around. 

"I think these experiments of yours ought to be conducted in a place that isn't so... Exposed to the eyes of others. Especially if you're going to 'unveil' everything before the Kami and test how much you'll be spared." 

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Scott
The thin white hands stilled, stained fingers buried in cloth. "Flowers? Yes, but this be the powdered root. Glass experiments," She said as a matter of fact. The top layer had made it to her chest, showing off the now heavily stained undergarment. Bright red spots and lines proliferated the white fabric. Kobe's words about the invocations gave her several ideas, and very slowly a wide grin formed. It was immediately covered by red fabric that floated onto her head. Well timed indeed, for the grin had a strange look to it - something even low society would not take kindly. Slightly muffled, but at the same time Kobe suggested she taste hemlock and oleander, "I could try pufferfish toxin." There was something in the way she said it that led the listener to believe she thought it the highest of pleasures or greatest of delicacies.

Those stained hands lifted swiftly to keep the fabric from touching her own clothes. She tossed the haori back over Yuto's shoulders with a couple of little hops that resituated her own clothes. A calm and gentle smile had replaced the unholy expression, "My thanks, Saru-san, but this one will be needing that not this time." She took a few steps, gathered her own haori - and it's ill-gotten contents, and turned back. "You are welcome to join but now this one will be doing experiments," She grinned rather foolishly at him, punched the sky "For science!"

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Steven
Perhaps the elderly gardner had been warming up to a pair of unlikely herbalists and their childlike enjoyment of his profession. But this was a man of class, who was certainly even more aghast at the obvious lack of decorum. It's not like Shugenja are beacons of purity held to higher standards than your average samurai. 

Kobe, not oblivious to the Gardener's disapproving look, bowed twice in quick succession. "I apologize for disrupting your garden, Scorpion-sama. After I have her firmly in the care of her clansmen, I would be honored if you allowed me to return. I wish to pay penance through honest work until you feel the debt repaid." 

Turning to the Scorpion magistrate, Kobe bowed again. "Yes. I will see to it that she is returned to the Dragon Embassy with *Haste*." 

The Crab Sumi embroidered onto his bleached white robes would ripple behind him as he jogged over to the now luridly grinning Dragon. "Time is fleeting, Agasha-sama. We should hurry."
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John
The way these two were so disconnected from reality was shocking, Yuto was unorthodox but these people were even out of his league! Undressing, desiring to be poisoned, it was amusing but unexpected. Now there was talk of pufferfish, anyone that wasn't attentive probably would've gotten lost in this interaction. This however made the scorpion chuckle. 

"Well, I'm glad you've enjoyed the benefactors our gardens provide to those with your expertise, Agasha-san." 

Shifting his eyes over to Kuni Kobe, the crabs nature was not so different from his own. It felt rather adventurous and innocent, the way he used to be. Though he did show caution in the dragons health, for now he'd stay behind and work with the gardener to clean this mess up. Today was supposed to be a break.. Oh well. 

"Your apologies are unnecessary, Kuni-san. I look forward to hearing of your intrepid results. Besides, I suspect we'll see one another soon. Farewell!" 

As they fled the Scorpion turned taking a deep breath. Maybe he ought to link those two with the other weirdo in the Scorpion? What was Satoshi up to? 

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Scott
Kokuto spent a good bit of the time she was hustled away chewing and dictating. A careless wave was tossed over her shoulder, with an accompanied "This one suggests a visit professionally, Saru-san!"

The waved hand snaked out, snatching a handful of berries to eat with a happy little sound. "Oh! Delicious! No wonder eating with joy the children would be doing! So sweet! So deadly!" She said it with relish, hand reached out to try another deadly poison as they passed it. It was simply too bad that she couldn't make it back to her workroom with enough time to brew a distillation of poisons to try.

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