Agnes
The bath house was doing steady business when the two women entered, but the proprietor focused on them like a hunting dog. With many eager bows he took their parasols and other belongings, watched patiently while Kaori racked her swords, and issued them their towels before waving them on with a blessing and a simper. Kaori ignored his antics as usual, which seemed to suit them both, and headed for the screens where noblewomen could undress away from common women. "I have been a regular patron since I first came to the city," She explained. "He has learned my ways. I did not know you had taken over direct supervision though. Was it your idea to plant the wisteria around the windows up there?" She pointed to the high windows that allowed light and air while keeping the privacy for the bathers. 

As she undressed and pinned up her hair the bushi revealed the scars of a warrior, including an old laceration to her hip and a recent wound from a spear-thrust that had nearly severed her biceps entirely.
John
Despite having been the head overseer of the baths, Kotori had not get taken the opportunity to use them as an actual patron. Sure, she'd taken a soak, but it was usually just a quick thing at the end of the day after the baths had closed to the public. Entering now, with Kaori, allowed her to appreciate the experience from the perspective of a customer. She was already making a few notes of things that would need addressed; nothing significant, but small improvements that would lead to a better experience over all.

"Mine was a quiet installation here." She smiled at Kaori as they began to undress. "Yes, the wisteria was my idea. There had been some crawling vines, but they did not provide much in the way of cover."

For all the firm muscle and scars of Kaori, Kotori was nearly the opposite. Porcelain white skin was largely unblemished; there were a few fading bruises on her thighs and shins, and the only noticeable scar was on her right foot, two round dots spaced a little over an inch apart, the edges puckered and the whole thing oddly symmetrical. When she looked up, her breath hitched.

"Oh, Bayushi-san... You have been through so much." Her voice carried an odd mix of admiration and sorrow. It was something like an incredibly beautiful artwork being marred, and yet somehow the damage lent it an additional aspect of beauty. Strength for continuing to exist, despite efforts to eradicate. 

"Would you care for tea, or sake?" She removed her mask and placed it carefully atop her other things, sweeping her fingers across her now bare cheeks and forehead. "We've started stocking a better quality of both."

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Agnes
The black eyes flashed with brief emotion at Kotori's words, and her face smoothed so completely even the scar-induced smirk vanished. "I have been more fortunate than some," She said neutrally. Her scars were a sore subject, the woman did not have the wisdom of Kotori to appreciate the story they told. Despite her interest in kinsiguri the lesson had yet to be learned. 

With her dress now shed a discerning eye could see that the cut had been carefully chosen to conceal the power in Kaori's shoulders and forearms, the springy body language, the muscles in her back and forearms flexing like ropes as she picked up the towels once more. As she shed the trappings of civilization this insolent house cat had become a leopardess, a predator of men. 

"Sake, I think," She said, glad for the change in subject, even as her eyes lingered on the bruises. "I don't like to drink a hot drink while reveling in the steam."

She padded barefoot to the bathing tubs, settling down on the stool. Her right arm seemed fully recovered, but she occasionally favored it out of habit.
John
"Sake it is!" She smiled cheerfully, walking to the curtain-covered doorway and speaking softly to an attendant waiting on the other side. There was a quiet exchange, Kotori nodded, and then padded after her companion. 

Before settling down on a nearby stool, she collected a small rinse basin which was filled with bathing implements: brushes, finely ground abrasives, even bar soaps made from nut and tree oils, likely imported from the Islands of Silk and Spice. This she sat between them, keeping everything in easy reach.

"If you should think of anything else we can do to improve the baths, I hope you will tell me. A different perspective in so important and helpful." Kotori settled onto a stool nearby and began the pre-soaking bathing ritual, first pouring handfuls of water up and down her own limbs.

"Do you enjoy theatre, Bayushi-san? If so, perhaps we might attend together sometime. I enjoy your company immensely." She smiled sincerely at the other woman. She really *Did* Like Kaori, seeing in her the older sister she never had.

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Agnes
"I do enjoy theater, and the many shows to witness there," If Kaori's tastes did run in all directions she at least refrained from any displays of insolence, instead keeping her eyes front so she could clean herself off without distraction. "Though for me the best shows are played out in the seats, especially the private boxes. Our family has a few boxes reserved about the city. When I can I go to watch the people. It is funny how many people think a theater is a good place to have an affair."

She didn't add that she was often one of those who entertained someone in their box whose spouse was none the wiser. Raising a bar of soap to her nose she inhaled. "Ahhh... This is a new one. I like it. You have been busy indeed."

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John
"Really? I had no idea our had boxes. It would certainly solve seating issues, given my height." Kotori picked up one of the abrasive bars, ground rice bran in shea butter—fragrant and effective—and began to scrub herself down. "I have heard stories that some people get up to, ah, *Mischief* In the private boxes, but I have yet to witness that myself." 

Once thoroughly scrubbed, skin pink from her efforts, she used the basin to rinse, pouring water down herself from her neck down.

"I'm so glad you like it! The other soap worked well enough, but my skin always felt so dry after." She glanced over with another of her friendly smiles, flipping a forelock back that had come loose. "Anything at all you need, only say the word. If we do not have it on hand, we *Will* Get it." 

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Agnes
*A strong-jawed, small-nosed, totally silent Hida with hands Iike stones and a tetsubo that reached all the way to his—* Kaori did not say that out loud, but she bit back a smile at the mental image. Kotori seemed a very innocent sort and there was plenty of time to fix that. "Nothing particularly comes to mind," She said aloud. "I have been here before with guests, many times, but I confess you are the most pleasant company I've had yet."

She darted a mischievous smile at her cousin and began to scrub herself industriously, hoping to get that greasy post-training feeling out of her perfectly clean skin. "So aside from establishing new standards in bath houses and making sweet music sorts of things do you like? Books? Poetry? Drum lines?"

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John
"That makes me happy." Kotori flashed a smile to rival Lady Sun. And truly, it *Did* Please her enormously. She'd heard rumors that Bayushi Kaori was an awful woman, a murderer with not just loose morals, but none at all. 

That had not been her experience at all. Kaori had been nothing but kind and helpful and friendly. She'd deigned to go to an art exhibit with her, was teaching her how to fight, and there was a possible shopping trip in the future. While Kotori was not foolish enough to think Kaori was without sin—after all, who in the service of the Empire truly was?—she saw no behavior that indicated she was the villain that people made her out.

"I've been learning some massage techniques. Would you like me to rub your shoulders, or wash your back? It can be hard to reach." She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers, as though the show of dexterity somehow lent more credibility to her statements. 

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Agnes
Kaori had no idea what sorts of kind and unrealistic thoughts were running through her cousin's head but she nodded and swiveled on her stool. "By all means! I'm sure your dainty hands would be just divine, especially after training. I'll return the favor I promise." 

She sighed happily and stared into the middle distance. "Kotori-san, this is nice. We should do this more often."

|| ((posting as I walk into work so sorry if it's a little short
John
"That would be lovely." Kotori scooted up behind her taller companion and began her ministrations. A quick scrub with the abrasive bar first to slough off any rough skin, and then a good wash with the fragrant soap. Her touch began light and careful, gradually growing firmer and more direct as fingers kneaded tired muscles. She paid particular attention the muscles in the neck and base of the skull, working her clean fingers just slightly into Kaori's hair.

"I find this part always gets so stiff, and feels the best once it's been massaged." 

"And as for things I enjoy... I certainly enjoy books. Books were one thing to which I always had easy access." A basin of water just cool enough to be refreshing was poured slowly over Kaori's back. "Poetry is well and good enough, but I think I prefer song in that regard. A good poet can bring a tear to the eye, but so can a bad one." She laughed, "What about you, Bayushi-san? A lady of such refinement must have many interests."

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Agnes
"Mmm..." Kaori's eyes drifted closed and she pushed herself more firmly back into the fingers. "Mmm... What? Oh, yes, books... Yes, I read a few good books once. Books... Mmmhmmm... Let's see... There was *Three Sparrows* By Miromoto Renchi, and Nadir's treatise on the use of wire... I prefer prose to poetry, but a bad poem is over a lot sooner than a bad book."

She resisted the urge to moan as nerves were soothed. "Most recently I read a series of amusing stories by someone named Yoshi, invoking some very vivid imagery."

She turned around at last and gestured for Kotori to allow her to return the favor. "Stories of romance are my favorites by far. I enjoy vicariously what the Kami have not suited me for."

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John
Seeing that Kaori was enjoying the attentions, Kotori increased the pressure in her fingers. Despite their slenderness, they were remarkably strong from some many years of practice.

"At least a bad poem might be somewhat redeemed by an artful recital." She applied just a bit of oil to her hands, carefully working the muscles near her companion's shoulders, mindful of anything that resembled an injury, old or new.

"I've heard those books by Yoshi are... Um, causing a stir. But I agree, romance is a favorite of mine, as well. I have heard on title, *Confessions of a Courtesan*, is supposed to be especially good." 

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