Anthony
Bayushi Tomura had found that the Scorpion Gardens where indeed becoming one of his favorite locations within the city. It was calm, beautiful, an oasis of silent prefection in one of the most corrupt cities in the empire, the baths where of course a major perk.

He wore his black yukata, a crimson scorpion tail rising to curl at his shoulder. Currently the young Bayushi was reading a novel, his Fox mask only covering the top half of his face as he sipped a cup of tea. It had been a lovely day and he was allowing himself some respite.

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Joseph
Adohiro decided to make way here. He had a lot of stuff to do but was on his lunch break. Working was a hard life, wasn't it? He gives a soft sigh as he soon saw someone reading a novel. He thought he recognized the novel which piqued his interest. "Oh excuse me, Scorpion-San. What are you reading?" He asked curious about the book. Hopefully it was an interesting book! The crane was dressed in a blue yukata that had cranes on it.
Anthony
Tomura blinked at the sudden interruption, looking up from his bench, under the mask a slight brow was raised, a crane out of the blue, either he wanted to duel with words or subtly threaten him.

"It's a ghost story, about a man who falls in love with a spirit, it's a good read so I won't spoil too much for you, however I know their are not many who enjoy these tails, I'm sure no one wants to hear about tales of the dead." He gave a chuckled before standing up to bow in greeting. "Bayushi Tomura, at your service." 

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Joseph
Adohiro noticed he looked surprised over the interruption. "Oh sorry, I just wanted to find some new books to read, Scorpion-San." He said sheepishly. When he heard the details of the story, that interested him. "Oh that sounds interesting." He said. He didn't mind books on the dead. He heard his name as he gives a bow in greeting. "I'm Daidoji Adohiro, yours for the asking."
Anthony
"Well, Daidoji-san, would you care to sit with me then?" He asked, sitting down and tapping the other space on the bench, "I'm new to this city and am still trying to make friends, I would not mind a conversation partner to pass the time with." He gave a friendly smile, "I can recomend some books."

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Joseph
Adohiro saw the very nice Scorpion welcome him to chat with him. Smiling, he sits next to him glancing at his book. "Oh I didn't want to disturb you, Bayushi-San." He said. "But I like some novels. But I can be super picky about some. It's hard finding a book that I enjoy." He spoke up.
Anthony
"Horror, mystery, romance, adventure," He listed some genres, "What suits your fancy, I'm sure we can come up with something," He waved his hand, "Please, your not disturbing me at all, meeting new people is one of the small joys of life."
Joseph
He gives a thought when he's asked for a genre he enjoyed. "I like adventure, fantasy, and horror. I guess mystery can be interesting, Bayushi-San." He spoke. "What about your favorite genre, Bayushi-San?" He asked wondering if he had favorites. "Romance can be okay, there just has to be some kind of conflict or adventure."
Anthony
"Horror," The Scorpion replied, "I enjoy a good fright, ghost stories and such, it's an acquired taste." He gave a lazy shrug, "Fantasy is also wonderful, adventure is amusing, romance is nice but I prefer spicy tales of gossip then swooning over tales of 'true love'," He gave a small exagerrated gag, "Prehaps... How about a story of a river haunted by a Kappa?" He suggested, "I have plenty of horror novels, if you wish to borror some?"
Joseph
When he heard his interest in horror, he gives a nod. "Horror is interesting. I like those novels." He said giving a a glance over at the pretty scenery. He chuckled a bit over his exaggerated gag. "Sure I wouldn't mind borrowing them if you don't mind, Bayushi-sama." He said #.
Anthony
Tomura rached down the side of the bench, where he had three other books stacked, he took the one off the top and handed it to the crane, at 'sama' he gave a laugh.

"I'm not that important, but thank you, I'm just a minor courtier, and what of you, Daidoji-san, how do you serve this fine city?" He asked
Joseph
He saw the stack of books and he was quite surprised at the amount of books. "Woah." He said, he didn't expect to get this much. "Oh, I'm a yoriko." He gives a smile. "I guess you're a big bookworm, Bayushi-San."
Anthony
"Well, I was born with poor health, so I never became good at martial prowess or riding... I'm afraid I've never even been on a horse," He chuckled, "So rather then that I stayed inside and explored the world by turning page after page, in my mind I have pictured the Islands of Spice and Silk to the Burning Sands, it's... Liberating, in a sense." He shrugged, "I'm sorry, that must sound boring."
Joseph
He was a bit shocked that he never did anything of those sorts back than. "Are you still healthy?" He asked wondering if he was. He didn't look too unhealthy anymore. "Oh no, it's not boring. Don't worry." He smiled. "I had all sorts of lessons here and there growing up, but I wasn't the most studious." He chuckled. .
Anthony
Tomura gave a lil 'eh' motion with his hand

"I'm able to function, shouldn't have to worrying about falling over dead, but I still need to take medicine every morning and every night, force me to run and I might fall over and I'm afraid I'm useless in a fight, but if I'm ever in a fight to begin with, I have already made some serious mistakes that day." He laughed, "The most physical activity I've had..." He pauses, "Anyway, me being studious was me excersizing the one muscle that seemed to be able to work well," He tapped his masks forhead, "My mind... What about you, how did you get to become a Yoriko, I mean no offense but you look as if you've had your Gempukku only recently." He chuckled
Joseph
He seemed healthy enough though. When he heard his ailments he gives a nod. He wondered if his sickness had a specific cause or name for it. When he heard him ask he chuckled softly. "Oh I guess people always think I'm young." He chuckled. "I was recommended to help and all." He said. "What about you? How did you become a courtier or what made you want to be one?" He asked. There probably wasn't a lot of job options for him with his health issues.
Anthony
"Well, couldn't exactly be a bushi," He chuckled, "So I was trained in the Courtier school, this is actually my fiest assigenment after my Gempukku," He nodded, "Honestly, I love it, the intrigue, the dance of the conversation, how a look can mean a thousand things and may even prove more deadly then the blade." He gave a wistful sigh, "Court is far more interesting then the battlefield, in my opinion anyway... Maybe it's both my Father's and Mother's blood making it more apparent, my mother was A Doji before her marriage." 

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Joseph
He chuckled a bit at his bushi comment. He definitely couldn't if he was that ill. He heard he was on his first assignment. "Oh really? What is your assignment if I can ask?" He said curious about what assignments courtiers were given. He gives a nod at his statement about court being more interesting. "I think both are equally interesting. But battlefield definitely is difficult sometimes."
Anthony
"Diplomat, I've been assigned with good will building with the Great Clans of the city," He gave a shug and nod, "It seems I've been given the role of the face of the Scorpion, hopefully I prove one that is not too tiring." He sighed, "So yes, new city and all I have are my books and my cat, but like any book, the new chapter is always intresting and I await to see what's at the end of it."
Joseph
He heard about his mission which sounded like any typical diplomat mission. He gives a nod hearing he had a cat. "Oh I love cats! I would love to visit your cat if I'm able to, Bayushi-San." He said. "What's your cat's name?" He asked wondering if it had a cool name or even named after a book he read.
Anthony
"Baka," He chuckled, "He's just a kitten, but if you wish to visit him I'm sure he would love the company, he's been having a fun time exploring the palace." He looked back to his book, "I've been finding the city agreeable, I love the idea of hundreds of people being packed together in this single environment, their are thousands of tales being played out before us and I hop to be able to catch some exciting ones."
Joseph
"Why is he named Baka?" He asked thinking that was a strange name to name a kitten. He heard he could visit the cat which made him happy. He was glad he was enjoying the city here. He knew some people weren't a fan of large cities sometimes. "I agree it can be nice." He said. "Oh what are your hobbies besides reading?"
Anthony
"It's a small superstion, Daikoku's favored animal is the rat, so as not to insult the Fortune of Wealth we name out cats... Less then flattering names, I don't put too much stock in it but it's... Well, tradition." He laughed, "I write... Well attempt to write, I enjoy people watching and conversation, if I can't find a tale in a novel I'm certain to find it play out before me, like a Crane and Scorpion having a conversation on books and cats." He smiled
Joseph
He heard the tradition which sounded interesting. He wasn't too sure of what he should name a cat if he had one. He heard about his writing which interested him. "Hmm I've never been much of a writer. But I guess it can be interesting since you can make your own stories and all." He said.
Anthony
"Yeah, I've got the idea for a ghost story in my head, trying to work out all the details," He shrugged, "General idea is a lord who has no heir swears he doesn't care what the child will be like, as long as he has someone to pass the castle too, so his kid ends up born... Well, that's spoilers, what about you, got any hobbies?"
Joseph
His story sounded interesting to him. "Oh that sounds interesting. I think that might be an excellent story." He said. When he heard him ask what his hobbies were, he'd speak. "I like cooking, visiting restaurants, and doing all sorts of activities. I like to call myself a jack of all trades." He said. "I also like doing crafts." He said.
Anthony
Tomura laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "I like to go dark, sometimes it offputs people," He admitted, "Cooking huh, got any good recipies, I'd love to trying new foods, although I'll admit I perfer sea food."
Joseph
"Seafood? I'm not a big fan of it but I like poultry." He said. It was odd as a crane to not like seafood. While he would eat it, he preferred poultry if there was an option. "I have some good recipes. I can show you some. I don't know them at the top of my head though." He said.
Anthony
"I'd love to see them, if your ever up for cooking I'd love to try them too." He offered, "Roasted chicken is something I could never say no to, if you ever need to bribe me, use food instead of koku." He joked
Joseph
"Of course. We can actually visit my residence and I can give you some copies of my recipes." He offered. He would laugh at his joke. "You're too funny." He chuckled at his joke. "I think chicken is the juiciest and tastierst meat."
Anthony
"I wouldn't want to impose on you day anymore then I have," He said, "But if it's not too much trouble, I would be intrested," Then he considered, "Chicken is good, but when it comes to meat I'd have to go with beef."
Joseph
"We can go!" He said with a small as he stands up. "I ask think the imposing was the other way around." He joked. "It isn't a long walk, but it'll be a nice walk to my place." He smiled. "Beef is good. But I think chicken is supreme compared to beef."
Anthony
Tomura stood up, "Well then, thank you for imposing on my day so that I know may enjoy delicious food," He put his hands with his sleeves, "Mayhaps this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Joseph
He gives a smile at his friendship comment. "Of course. It's good to have friends in this world today; especially with how it is now." He said. "Let's head to my place so we can maybe make lunch together." He said. "What are you hoping to make or eat? Something salty or sweet? Or maybe both?" He asked.
Anthony
Tomura puts a hand to his chin as if in thought, before making a 'hm' sound and nodding, "I'll leave it to you to surprise me." He smiled
Joseph
He gives a nod, maybe teriyaki chicken would be a good choice. It would be full of flavor and juicy. He would lead him in the lovely walk to the place. Soon he reached his lovely home that was well kept. "Well here it is." He said. It was located at crane embassy area but was its own standalone house. "Well, feel free to make yourself a home." He said.
Anthony
Tomura looked around the place and gave Adohiro a bow before waling in.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He said, walking inside and taking off his geta, "You have a lovely home, Daidoji-san, you must do very well for yourself, I'm quartered in the palace, I'm surprised you have your owh place."
Joseph
He saw the bow and was surprised. "Oh you're welcome. No need to thank me." He said. Well doing well wasn't the truth really, it was mostly his family. "You're welcome. I guess it is nice." He said. "So I'll grab my recipe book." He'd find a stack of papers in the kitchen cupboard. "Here's some recipes. Let's make this." He grabbed his recipe for teriyaki chicken.
Anthony
Tomura looked at the recipe and looked around the kitchen, "Ok, what do you need me to do?"
Joseph
"Hmm maybe get the pots and pans needed. And some of the ingredients." He said. He thought maybe making him do the while recipe while he monitored would help him improve his skills in cooking and he'd have fun too.
Anthony
Tomura nodded, heading around the kitchen and taking out the needed tools and spices. He wasn't used to cooking himself, such work was usually left to the servants, it felt... Rewarding, to assist in making a meal, it wasn't too daunting for him either, a smile formed on his face at the since of acomplishment he gained from the act.
Joseph
The first part of the recipe was to make the spices.The spices were typical to make the teriyaki flavor. "Okay so we need to combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, and these spices together." He said. "Than let the meat soak for 10 minutes in it. Than we can make the rice while it soaks." He said.
Anthony
Tomura nodded and got to work on the sauce, sugar, and spices, "Is this good enough, I'm not used to cooking myself, I hope my work is servicable."
Joseph
He gives a nod. "You just need to make sure to mix it well so it isn't chunky." He said as he glanced at the sauce. "You probably want to taste the sauce too to make sure it tastes like teriyaki." He said. While the recipe did have instructions, it still was good practice to taste test it.
Anthony
Tomura dipped his finger in the sauce and tasted it, "Mmm, coming along nicely," He muttered, "How's the meat?"
Joseph
"Well we should put the chicken in the sauce and let it soak. We need to make the rice and all." He said. "And the vegetables." He said. "We can fry the vegetables with the meat though. But let's season it."
Anthony
Listening to the Crane's instructions, Tomura proceeded to put the chicken in the sauce, then adding the vegetables and meat to fry them
Joseph
When the meat soaked, he allowed him to fry up the meat and the vegetables. Giving a small smile, he glanced over at Bayushi as he watched him fry the meal. "Well want to add a tablespoon of water to the sauce too." He said.
Anthony
Tomura silently got to work adding the water to the sauce, wiping his brow from the heat that was coming from the frying
Joseph
After a few moments, the chicken looked cooked and the vegetables were the right tenderness. "Okay I think you can remove it from the heat." Adohiro had started on the rice and it was all done. "I think we can eat now." He said smiling softly.
Anthony
Tomura nodded and assisted with setting up, once they put the food down and sat, he claped his hands together.

"Itadakimasu." And then began to eat, "Mmmm, this is delicious, where did you get the recipe?"
Joseph
Adohiro would get his portion of meal as he sat down. He also did the thanking tradition as he frapped his chopsticks. When he was asked, he'd speak up. "I found some recipe books so tweaked them a bit until I thought they were tasty." He spoke up.
Anthony
"So some experimentation, your labors bear delishous fruit," Tomura chuckled, "I haven't had a home-cooked meal in weeks, you've given me a great gift this day, Daidoji-san."
Joseph
He gives a smile shaking his head. "No need to thank me. I just like to cook when I can. It's fun. Maybe you should try cooking. I can give you some copies of some recipes too." He offered.
Anthony
"Prehaps." He mused, "Is there anything gossip wise I should know about, I love a good saucy story."
Joseph
"Gossip? Hmm I know maybe a certain teahouse has some gossip but I haven't heard anything exactly." He told him. "I think you can find some gossip in some places." He said.
Anthony
"I see... I think I know the one you're referring to, the Crab establishment, I was surprised finding a diamond like that one in this city." He continued to eat
Joseph
He gives a nod. "I don't really go there. I have no point to go unless i and specifically invited there. But I heard from others it should be a place you stay away from." He pointed out as he finished his meal. "Don't go there often?"
Anthony
Now that earned a raised brow

"Hmm, and why should I stay away from it?"
Joseph
"I dunno, that's what I heard some people say. People say to not go there." He said shrugging. He wasn't too sure in why people said that, maybe it was dangerous sometimes? He had no clue.
Anthony
"Strange... I should look into why... What places would you suggesting visiting then?"
Joseph
"Hmm maybe a Yakitori place I like that near the crane embassy. It's quite delicious. Hmm other places, probably the tea house close here. It has good tea and it's all locally made there." He brought up. "I can't think of any. I mostly go to food places like the small marketplace nearby here. They have good sales there on Sunday." He told him.
Anthony
"Yakitori is nice... I'll stop by it sometime and check it out." He said, as he finished his meal, "I thank you again for your hospitality, sadly I must head home, Baka is surely wondering where I am," He gave a chuckled, "I hope to see you again sometime, and remember, feel free to visit Baka if you wish."
Joseph
He gives a nod thinking that was a good idea. He than saw him finding his meal and say he needed to go. "Sure, give Baka a cuddle for me!" He said with a grin. "Do you want me to accompany you so you don't get attacked by thieves?" He asked
Anthony
Tomura chuckled, he didn't know if Adohir joining him would deter theives, but he couldn't deny he enjoyed the Crane's company

"Thank you, I'm sure they will quake with fear when they see my escort."
Joseph
He gives a nod hearing his comment. "I've brought down thieves recently. I think I can easily protect you." He told him with a small smile. "Let's go, we don't want it to get too late so your friends won't worry about you." He said. He knew Tomaru was weak and couldn't fight well so he'd help.
Anthony
"Lead the way my friend." He smiled, gesturing for Adohiro to walk out of the door first, "I'm glad to have met such a welcoming soul in this city."