Patricia
The sun was hidden today behind gray clouds, giving the garden a welcome break from the heat. The Scorpion was in a private section, hidden between artfully arranged trees and boulders. Only someone walking up to her would be able to see what she was doing. 

Today was her usual Weapons Maintenance day. She was sitting on a rug with another cloth laid out, her swords and knives each placed before her. Furthest away was the mighty horse killer that had been a gift to the Scorpion governor from the Lion delegation. Next was a sword wrapped in soft cloth, its hilt and saya concealed. A wakizashi and two knives completed the rainbow effect. 

She was working with a sword straightener now to bend her battered katana back into shape. The sword flashed each time she lifted it to peer along the edge, showing the chipped edge in sharp contrasting shadows. 

She had summoned her vassal to this garden by messenger. It was the first time she acknowledged his existence since he'd brandished a reptile in her face. If she still held any anger for that incident her impassive face did not betray it. Her soft hands moved slowly, deliberately, making no effort at all to rush her work. There were no refreshments present. Her maid was stationed at the entrance to this little glade as a signal that it was already occupied, so she would not be interrupted by chance company. 

This conversation was not for casual entertainment.

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Wendy
Yuto was making his way through the gardens, summoned for whatever reason by Kaori to join her today. Uncertain as to why, maybe she was going to apologize for last time... No that was too good to happen, maybe she'd introduce him to one of her pets? She didn't seem like an animal lover at all so that too was unlikely. 

The vassal had his own pair of swords with him, specifically his Katana and Wakizashi which were well beyond needing repair. He had a certain knack for butchering his swords, he was a hard swinger. It was likely time for himself to look into another blade. 

Upon seeing the Bayushi handmaiden he gave a nod as he passed her by, entering the private area Kaori had picked out. Entering their little pocket space he saw the blades she had laid out, taking an interest in them. Bowing first, he'd then stand to her side looking down. 

"What are you doing?" 

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Patricia
"A samurai without her swords is an empty bow-string." Kaori quoted a sensei that she and Yuto had shared, albeit probably at different times. "Have a seat, Rokugo-san." 

She put her sword back into the vice and bent it carefully back, holding it for a slow three count. Satisfied with this result she began to clean the blade, wiping away oil and replacing it. Special care was given to the knicks, where rust would certainly form first. Her black eyes never left her work. 

Eventually she said, "If you have your reptile under your hat please leave him there. I am not in the mood for uninvited guests today. Understand that while I can tolerate a great deal of idiosyncratic behavior from my competent vassals I would prefer not to have such things shoved in my face." 

She was still working only with her left hand, the right now bound to her chest under her kimono. She did not wish to set herself back again. 

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Wendy
Sitting across from her now, he observed her working on the swords. Were these new or her current ones? Yuto had never paid that much attention before, perhaps they were simply the woman's current blades. Ignoring her reptile comment despite the fact it irritated him just a bit. 

"I don't have him today, but what do you need me here for? You seem to be managing just fine at taking care of your swords, they look... More pristine than usual. How come?" 

Curious, not being able to put a finger on it caused the Junshin to ask. Laying out his own blades, he'd have drawn his Katana holding it for the woman to see, it was much more beat up than her blades. 

"No matter how much I sharpen and clean them, they still get beat up, can't handle my swings. Not sure what I'm going to do." 

It was evident that Yutos swords were no more than what a peasant could scrap up. The handle was basic and cheap and so was the metal, it was a surprise his sword cut anything. 

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Patricia
"You will learn judgement and spare your swords needless harm." Kaori glanced at his sword and frowned. If his katana was truly worse off than her battered one then he was in a sorry state indeed. "Try not to fight any duels with that saw. People will judge you harshly."

She made a mental note to arrange for a replacement. 

"I asked you out here because I am maintaining my blades," She continued. She began to unfasten the hilt of the katana, carefully unwinding the silk wrap. "And you are one of them. Your family has served mine for a long time. I've fought beside you. You are skilled and you are dangerous. I respect that." 

Setting aside the disassembled weapon she took up the wrapped bundle and produced two swords. Their saya were blue, the silk wraps white, and their tsuba decorated with cranes. She set the wakizashi aside and drew out the katana, holding up the beautiful Kakita steel for the Junshin to see. There were no identifying marks on the visible blade, no Crane mottos or family symbols, but such things would have only marred the perfect sheen and wave of folded steel.

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Wendy
She was right, dueling with this sword would have been dishonorable to anyone he fought. Though this was the same sword he's had since being a mere child, departing from it wouldn't be easy, even if it was in a sorry state. Hearing Kaori answer his question made the scorpion tilt his head, if he were one of her blades what did that mean for coming here? Was she gonna 'sharpen' him or something? 

"Uhh.." 

Upon seeing the pristine blade and its saya, more curiosity came to him. Those certainly weren't her usual blades, what was she using them for? 

"Are you switching out the blades? Why wouldn't you just take the new sword as is, handle isn't to your fashion?"

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Patricia
"Because I do not intend to use the katana to frame anyone, nor do I intend to display it as a trophy." Kaori began to dismantle the hilt, her single hand working methodically. "I do not collect swords as some bushi do. One is enough, if it is worthy. My old blade will go back to Scorpion lands. I have a cousin who might enjoy refurbishing it. If not, it will be retired." 

She set the white silk and the Crane tsuba down to one side. "I've seen you fight, Rokugo-san. And when your blood is hot you can kill as well as any man. But have you ever taken life when you are cold and still?"

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Wendy
You see Yuto didn't recognize the sword, having never seen what a Crane tsuba looked like he simply assumed she found or bought it. Though it looked too good to be purchased from any blacksmith, though her words on framing and using it as a trophy brought concern. 

"Did you..." 

Immediately thinking the worst, did she kill someone and take their sword? No, perhaps she beat them in an honest duel, that had to be the reason. His attention shifted to her asking if he had killed anyone cold and still, if she meant while he was calm then yes. Though he felt there was more to it. 

"I have, though it's mostly when I perform Iaijutsu or get into a small fight while working. As a boy I was taught to channel everything into my sword, hence why I perform better in the heat of great battle."

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Patricia
If only the poor boy knew.

It was obvious he didn't, but she was confident he'd figure it out. He was a virgin, not stupid. She set aside the hilt wrappings and began to replace the blade's parts in Scorpion colors. "You should learn to kill cold," She said as she worked. "Have you ever executed a criminal? It is like that. You must give the duty its proper reverence, but you are striking at an enemy who will never touch you. Not unlike dueling, if your draw is sufficient to the deed."

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Wendy
Learn to kill cold? That was an interesting topic to discuss, curious on the full meaning of such a thing. Wanting to know more he'd inquire the Bayushi, perhaps he'd give it a try. 

"Killing cold, I take it as the absence of feeling? Not seeing your enemy as an enemy, but something lesser? I must say that's quite different from how I was taught. Emotional content is a powerful ability, I'm not sure if I can discard it and fight as well. How do you learn to fight cold?" 

Leaning forward to observe her swords more, the colors of the guard were certainly interesting. Now that he thought about it, the colors were familiar... He feared 

"Those swords... Where did you get them?"

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Patricia
"Fighting cold was a necessary skill for me," The Scorpion continued working, still never looking up at Yuto. "My brother's headless body was thrown down at my feet when I was a child. Had my wrath been strength I would have torn the Lion Clan limb from limb that day. But one child's pain can build into a volcano if left unchecked, and I would have blasted our clan apart in my thirst for Lion blood. So I learned to freeze my fire, to cool my blood. Have you seen water when it is forced through a small gap? Your energy is like water. You can dump it out all at once..." She flicked a finger at his battered sword, "Or you can concentrate it for longer and more efficient carnage. I still hate the Lion for their laughter as they rode away but I take my revenge in far more subtle ways." 

She glanced at the tsuba. "And this skill serves me well against all enemies."

*The wheel was turning.*

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Wendy
Hearing her speak on losing a brother, he could relate, but not in the same way. There was a secret he held on close to, never to tell anyone, but of course he felt the woman wouldn't have cared. Yuto was merely a vassal, and if her words on valuing him were true then he'd trust her. 

"I too lost my brother, but it was I who killed him." 

Spoken plainly, it had happened a long time ago, the regret had washed away. There was nothing Rokugo Yuto could do about it now. 

"I was ripped away from my real family, I am not of the blood. At least that's what I was told by my Father, my brothers sought to put me down and prove they could be suitable heirs. A child being raised to use his anger is only taught to channel it, not to control it. Since then, my siblings have acknowledged me as a Rokugo, too afraid to say otherwise." 

Sheathing his battered sword once more, he put it aside. Continuing to observe Kaoris efficient work on her own, still unsure of the blades she possessed. 

"Is that what you'll do with those blades? Get revenge?"

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Patricia
She'd heard about that. Not the details, just that one of the Rokugo kids had had a very unfortunate death and nobody talked about it. 

"My sister and I took our revenge at the Killing Ford," She said coolly. "We each took a head for our brother's sake, and ronin blood was shed in plenty. No, Rokugo-san, this sword is for whatever work I see fit. The other," She flicked a finger at the wakizashi, "I shall see to the bottom of the river along with these other pieces. I have no use for them." 

She flicked the sword and it took the head from a nearby flower as if parting air. "It will serve, though I would test it on true flesh."

Her work completed, she bagged up the wakizashi and began bundling the swords carefully to make a load she could carry under her arm.

Had Rokugo gotten her message? Did he understand? Or was his mind so addled by the company of reptiles that he did not follow?

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Wendy
Having already gotten her revenge, something still didn't click for him. She was going to throw them into the river? Earlier the woman spoke on not using the swords for frame or trophy, it was clear to connect the pieces. But what wasn't clicking for the scorpion? It was who, daring not to say a name, but if those colors were any sign, this wasn't good. 

Watching her cut the flower head was impressive, it didn't look like regular steel to him. Not having seen such fine blades wielded by anyone within this clan.. 

"I take it that's why you called me here after all. Didn't bother testing the blades on the flesh you killed to get them?" 

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Patricia
A playful smirk as she stood up. "Oh, Rokugo-san, what ever makes you think I killed anyone for these swords? I certainly didn't say that. I paid a fair price for these blades, as so not to unduly burden the smiths and weapons masters that serve our clan. I only asked you here to mend our relationship after the last time we saw each other." 

She slung the bundle under her good arm. "Do you remember the story of how Moshi Mai spoke too freely and brought our clan to this new low? I am sure that you are far too wise to speculate without even the Kami for witness." 

She grinned. "That is all. Good day to you, Rokuto-san."